Shloka 54

युद्धलक्षण-निमित्तदर्शनं तथा लङ्काद्वारव्यूहः

War Omens and the Encirclement of Lanka’s Gates

Devanagari script

राक्षसाविस्मयंजग्मुःसहसाऽभिनिपीडिताः ।।6.41.54।।वानरैर्मेघसङ्काशैश्शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमैः ।

Transliteration

rākṣasā vismayaṃ jagmuḥ sahasā ’bhinipīḍitāḥ |

vānarair meghasaṅkāśaiḥ śakratulya-parākramaiḥ ||6.41.54||

Translation

بادلوں کی مانند گھنے اور اندرا کے برابر شجاعت رکھنے والے وانر یودھاؤں نے جب یکایک سخت دباؤ ڈالا تو راکشس حیرت میں پڑ گئے اور پسپا ہونے لگے۔

Word by Word

• rākṣasāḥ: Rakshasas
• rākṣasāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1), Bahuvacana

• vismayam: astonishment
• vismayam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vismaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (2), Ekavacana

• jagmuḥ: went/entered (into)
• jagmuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gam (गम्) (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्) perfect, Parasmaipada, Prathama (3rd), Bahuvacana

• sahasā: suddenly/violently
• sahasā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sahasā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb

• abhinipīḍitāḥ: pressed hard/oppressed
• abhinipīḍitāḥ: Hetu (हेतु) / Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi-ni-√pīḍ (पीड्) (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Kta-participle, Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1), Bahuvacana; predicate to rākṣasāḥ

• vānaraiḥ: by the monkeys
• vānaraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3), Bahuvacana

• megha-saṅkāśaiḥ: cloud-like
• megha-saṅkāśaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: megha + saṅkāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (मेघवत् सङ्काशः); Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3), Bahuvacana; agrees with vānaraiḥ

• śakra-tulya-parākramaiḥ: having valor equal to Indra
• śakra-tulya-parākramaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śakra + tulya + parākrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (शक्रतुल्यः पराक्रमः येषाम्); Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3), Bahuvacana

Context

Caught by Vanaras like clouds and equalled Indra in valour gave way to wonder for the Rakshasas.

Characters & Entities

• Rākṣasas
• Vānaras
• Śakra (Indra)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is expressed as righteous strength: when a just cause is supported by disciplined valor, adharma-driven forces lose confidence and clarity.

What is the narrative situation?

The Vānara forces surge forward in battle; the Rākṣasa defenders are suddenly overwhelmed and become astonished at their might.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vīrya (heroic prowess) and collective courage—power guided by purpose rather than cruelty.