Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 10

युद्धकाण्डे त्रिपञ्चाशः सर्गः — धूम्राक्षवधश्रवणं, वज्रदंष्ट्रप्रेषणं, अङ्गद-राक्षसयुद्धम्

Ravana Dispatches Vajradamshtra; Portents and Angada’s Assault

Devanagari script

विचित्रवाससस्सर्वेदीप्ताराक्षसपुङ्गवाः ।गजामदोत्कटाश्शूराश्चलन्तइवपर्वताः ।।।।

Transliteration

vicitravāsasaḥ sarve dīptā rākṣasapuṅgavāḥ |

gajāmadotkaṭāḥ śūrāś calanta iva parvatāḥ ||

Translation

Ang lahat ng pangunahing pinuno ng Rakshasa, nakasuot ng maringal at sari-saring kasuotan at nagniningning sa ningas ng pakikidigma, ay sumulong na wari’y mga bundok na gumagalaw—gaya ng mga elepanteng nagngangalit sa kalasingan ng musth.

Word by Word

• te: they
• te: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• yuddhakuśalaiḥ: by/with those skilled in war
• yuddhakuśalaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yuddha-kuśala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: yuddhe kuśalāḥ = 'skilled in war'

• ūḍhāḥ: mounted
• ūḍhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √vah (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; 'mounted/carried'

• tomarāṅkuśapāṇibhiḥ: with (riders) having javelin-and-goad in hand
• tomarāṅkuśapāṇibhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tomara-aṅkuśa-pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहि: 'whose hands (pāṇi) have javelins and goads'

• anye: others
• anye: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• lakṣaṇasaṅyuktāḥ: endowed with auspicious traits
• lakṣaṇasaṅyuktāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lakṣaṇa-saṅyukta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कृदन्त (kta from √yuj with saṅ-), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: lakṣaṇaiḥ saṅyuktāḥ = 'endowed with marks/qualities'

• śūrārūḍhāḥ: mounted by heroes
• śūrārūḍhāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śūra-ārūḍha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कृदन्त (kta from ā√ruh), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: śūraiḥ ārūḍhāḥ = 'mounted by heroes'

• mahābalāḥ: very strong
• mahābalāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā-bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय: mahad balaṃ yeṣām / mahā + bala

Context

All the Rakshasa leaders decorated with lovely raiment, glowing, the heroes moved like mountains. They seemed like elephants intoxicated with ichor.

Characters & Entities

• Rākṣasas
• Rākṣasa leaders

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

External splendor and strength do not equal righteousness; Dharma evaluates intent and conduct, not merely power or display.

What is the narrative situation?

Rākṣasa commanders march out in force, described with grand, intimidating imagery before the clash with the Vānara host.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse indirectly highlights the need for humility: martial might without ethical grounding tends toward pride and destruction.