Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 14

युद्धकाण्डे त्रिपञ्चाशः सर्गः — धूम्राक्षवधश्रवणं, वज्रदंष्ट्रप्रेषणं, अङ्गद-राक्षसयुद्धम्

Ravana Dispatches Vajradamshtra; Portents and Angada’s Assault

Devanagari script

तेषांनिष्क्रममाणानामशुभंसमजायत ।।6.53.13।।आकाशाद्विघनात्तीव्रादुल्काश्चाभ्यन्यपतंस्तदा ।वमन्त्यःपावकज्वालाशशिवाघोरंववाशिरे ।।6.53.14।।

Transliteration

vyāharan mṛgā ghorā rakṣasāṃ nidhanaṃ tadā |

samāpatanto yodhās tu prāskhalan tatra dāruṇam ||

Translation

Bấy giờ những loài thú dữ như cất lời báo trước sự diệt vong của bọn La-sát; còn các chiến sĩ khi xông tới thì vấp ngã tại đó—một dấu hiệu dữ dằn và đáng sợ.

Word by Word

• etān: these
• etān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• autpātikān: portentous
• autpātikān: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: autpātika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (portent-related)

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव (indeclinable)

• vajradaṃṣṭraḥ: Vajradaṃṣṭra
• vajradaṃṣṭraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vajra-daṃṣṭra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (proper name): 'thunderbolt-fanged'

• mahābalaḥ: mighty
• mahābalaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā-bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• dhairyam: courage/steadfastness
• dhairyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhairya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• ālambhya: having taken hold of
• ālambhya: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ā√lamb (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव

• tejasvī: radiant/energetic
• tejasvī: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tejasvin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• nirjagāma: went out/sallied forth
• nirjagāma: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir√gam (धातु)
• Form: लिट् लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• raṇotsukaḥ: eager for battle
• raṇotsukaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: raṇa-utsuka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: raṇe utsukaḥ = 'eager for battle'

Context

As they were leaving evil portents appeared. Dreadful jackals, dazzling fire from the sky and meteors falling appeared.

Characters & Entities

• Rākṣasas
• Warriors (yodhāḥ)

FAQs

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

Actions opposed to Dharma carry consequences that manifest as warning signs; ignoring them reflects moral blindness and hastens downfall.

What is the narrative situation?

As the Rākṣasa fighters charge, animals cry ominously and the soldiers stumble—signals foreshadowing defeat.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence and humility are implied virtues: a righteous force remains attentive to signs and avoids reckless advance.