Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 44, Shloka 1
जम्बुमालिवधः
The Slaying of Jambumali
सन्दिष्टो राक्षसेन्द्रेण प्रहस्तस्य सुतो बली।जम्बुमाली महादंष्ट्रो निर्जगाम धनुर्धरः।।।।रक्तमाल्याम्बरधरस्स्रग्वी रुचिरकुण्डलः।महान्विवृत्तनयनश्चण्डस्समरदुर्जयः।।।।धनुश्शक्रधनुः प्रख्यं महद्रुचिरसायकम्।विष्फारयाणो वेगेन वज्राशनिसमस्वनम्।।।।
sandiṣṭo rākṣasendreṇa prahastasya suto balī |
jambumālī mahādaṁṣṭro nirjagāma dhanurdharaḥ ||
raktamālyāmbaradharaḥ sragvī rucirakuṇḍalaḥ |
mahān vivṛttanayanaś caṇḍaḥ samaradurjayaḥ ||
dhanuḥ śakradhanuḥprakhyaṁ mahad rucirasāyakam |
viṣphārayāṇo vegena vajrāśanisamasvanam ||
Commanded by the rākṣasa-king, Jambumālī—the mighty son of Prahasta, large-tusked and bow-bearing—came forth: wearing red garlands and red garments, adorned with a chaplet and shining earrings, huge-bodied, round-eyed, fierce, and hard to defeat in battle. He swiftly twanged a bow like Indra’s rainbow, its vibration roaring like thunderbolt and lightning, with great and radiant arrows.
Commanded by the demon king, Jambumali the invincible son of Prahasta, who had large teeth in front, big rolling eyes, red flower garland, red robes and a chaplet with beautiful earrings. He went round twanging his producing thunderous sound. His arrows were huge, shining and beautiful.
FAQs
The verse sets the stage for dharma versus adharma: the tyrant’s command sends warriors to uphold wrongful power, highlighting how might without righteousness becomes mere intimidation.
Rāvaṇa (implied as rākṣasa-king) dispatches Jambumālī, who emerges fully armed and terrifying, ready to confront Hanumān.
From the antagonist’s side, śaurya (martial prowess) is emphasized, but framed as serving an adharmic command structure.