Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 29

लङ्काप्राकारारोहणम् / Assault on Lanka’s Ramparts and the Opening Clash

Devanagari script

ऋक्षाणांभीमवेगानांधूम्रःशत्रुनिबर्हणः ।वृतःकोट्यामहावीर्यस्तस्थौरामस्यपार्श्वतः ।।।।

Transliteration

ṛkṣāṇāṃ bhīmavegānāṃ dhūmraḥ śatrunibarhaṇaḥ | vṛtaḥ koṭyā mahāvīryas tasthau rāmasya pārśvataḥ ||

Translation

Dhūmra, the foe-destroyer, stood by Rāma’s side—attended by a crore of bears of terrible speed and force, and renowned for great valor.

Word by Word

• ऋक्षाणाम्: of bears
• ऋक्षाणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• भीमवेगानाम्: of terrible speed
• भीमवेगानाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भीम (प्रातिपदिक) + वेग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; समासः—भीमवेगाः = भीमः वेगः येषाम् (of terrible speed/impetus)

• धूम्रः: Dhumra
• धूम्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूम्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (नाम)

• शत्रुनिबर्हणः: destroyer of enemies
• शत्रुनिबर्हणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शत्रु (प्रातिपदिक) + निबर्हण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—शत्रुनिबर्हणः = शत्रूणां निबर्हणः (destroyer of enemies)

• वृतः: surrounded
• वृतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• कोट्या: by/with a crore
• कोट्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोटि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• महावीर्यः: of great valor
• महावीर्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—महावीर्यः = महत् वीर्यं यस्य (of great valor)

• तस्थौ: stood
• तस्थौ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: लिट्, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• रामस्य: of Rama
• रामस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• पार्श्वतः: beside
• पार्श्वतः: Adhikarana/Desha (अधिकरण/देश)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पार्श्वतः (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

Context

He observed a countless number of Vanara troops spread all over Lanka, mountains, and forests.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Dhūmra

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed through protective solidarity: strength is placed in service of justice, not domination—guarding Rāma and the righteous campaign.

What is the narrative situation?

Alongside Vānara leaders, bear-warriors assemble near Rāma, reinforcing the allied front before the Rākṣasa mobilization.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Valor joined to responsibility—power exercised as guardianship.