Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 104, Shloka 24
रावणशूलप्रक्षेपः
Ravana Hurls the Trident; Rama Counters with Indra’s Javelin
निर्ददाह स तान्बाणान्रामकार्मुकनिःसृतान् ।रावणस्यमहान् शूलःपतङ्गानिवपावकः ।।।।
nirdadāha sa tān bāṇān rāma-kārmuka-niḥsṛtān | rāvaṇasya mahān śūlaḥ pataṅgān iva pāvakaḥ ||
Ngunit sinunog ng dakilang tridente ni Rāvaṇa ang mga palasong yaon na lumabas sa busog ni Rāma, na wari’y apoy na lumalamon sa mga gamu-gamo.
The arrows released from Rama's bow fell on the great trident of Ravana and burnt like moths falling in fire.
FAQs
The verse warns against judging by immediate outcomes: dharma is not disproved by temporary setbacks. Righteous effort may face overpowering resistance, yet perseverance aligned with satya remains the epic’s guiding standard.
The trident’s power destroys Rāma’s arrows mid-air, showing the weapon’s extraordinary force.
Rāma’s perseverance is implied: even when conventional measures fail, he must maintain resolve and choose an appropriate counter.