Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 66, Shloka 17
कुम्भकर्णप्रस्थानम् तथा अङ्गदप्रेरणा
Kumbhakarna’s sortie and Angada’s rallying of the Vanaras
ममज्जुरर्णवेकेचिद्गुहाःकेचित्समाश्रिताः ।निपेतुःकेचिदपरेकेचिन्नैवावतस्थिरे ।।।।केचिद्भूमौनिपतिताःकेचित्सुप्तामृताइव ।
mamajjur arṇave kecid guhāḥ kecit samāśritāḥ |
nipetuḥ kecid apare kecin naivāvatasthire |
kecid bhūmau nipatitāḥ kecit suptā mṛtā iva ||
Ang ilan ay lumubog sa dagat at nalunod; ang ilan ay sumilong sa mga yungib. Ang iba’y bumagsak na walang magawa, ang iba nama’y hindi man lamang nakapanindigan; ang ilan ay napahandusay sa lupa, at ang ilan ay nakahiga na waring patay sa pagkakatulog.
Some drowned in the ocean, some entered into the caves, some others not knowing what to do sat down and others fell on the ground and some slept as if dead.
FAQs
The verse highlights the moral danger of panic and loss of steadiness in crisis; dharma in war includes holding one’s duty with courage rather than collapsing into fear and disorder.
The Vānara forces are thrown into confusion and fear on the battlefield, scattering—some into the sea, some into caves, others collapsing on the ground.
Steadfastness (dhṛti) is implicitly emphasized by showing its absence—fear leads to helplessness and loss of collective purpose.