Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 4
विभीषणोपदेशः
Vibhishana’s Counsel to Ravana
ततोनिकुम्भोरभसस्सूर्यशत्रुर्महाबलः ।सुप्तघ्नोयज्ञहारक्षोमहापार्श्वमहोदरौ ।।6.9.1।।अग्निकेतुश्चदुर्धर्षोरश्मिकेतुश्चराक्षस: ।इन्द्रजिच्चमहातेजाबलवान्रावणात्मजः ।।6.9.2।।प्रहस्तोऽथविरूपाक्षोवज्रदंष्ट्रोमहाबलः ।धूम्राक्षश्चातिकायश्चदुर्मुखश्चैवराक्षसः ।।6.9.3।।परिघान्पट्टिशान्प्रासान्शक्तिशूलपरश्वधान् ।चापानिचसबाणानिखङ्गांश्चविपुलान्शितान् ।।6.9.4।।प्रगृह्यपरमक्रुद्धास्समुत्पत्यचराक्षसाः ।अब्रुवन्रावणंसर्वेप्रदीप्ताइवतेजसा ।।6.9.5।।
parighān paṭṭiśān prāsān śaktiśūlaparaśvadhān |
cāpāni ca sabāṇāni khaṅgāṁś ca vipulān śitān ||6.9.4||
Kinuha nila ang mga pamalo, mga sibat at javelin, mga śakti-dart, trident at mga palakol; pati mga busog na may mga palaso, at malalapad na espada na matatalim ang talim.
Then Nikumbha, Rshabha, mighty Suryasatru, Supthagna, Yagnaha raksha, Mahaparva, Mahodaro, Durdarsha, Agnikethu, Rasmikethu Rakshasas, Further Ravana's own son powerful Indrajith, Virupaksha and Prahasta, and mighty Rakshasas Vajradamshtra, Dumraaksha and also Durmukha of huge body holding iron bars, tridents, battle axes, bows and sharp arrows, very sharp swords, got up, highly enraged and all Rakshasas glowing like fire addressed Ravana.
FAQs
The verse highlights the deliberate preparation for adharma-driven aggression: the rākṣasas arm themselves for violence, setting the stage for the dhārmic duty of Rāma’s side to resist and protect righteousness.
By truthfully depicting the rākṣasas’ militarized intent and readiness, the text clarifies the moral reality of the conflict—why opposing them becomes a necessary response aligned with truth and justice rather than mere rivalry.