Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 78, Shloka 5

मकराक्षस्य निर्गमनम्

The Deployment of Makaraksha and Ravana’s Fury

Devanagari script

सोऽभिवाद्यदशग्रीवंकृत्वाचापिप्रदक्षिणम् ।निर्जगामगृहाच्छुभ्राद्रावणस्याज्ञयाबली ।।।।

Transliteration

so 'bhivādya daśagrīvaṃ kṛtvā cāpi pradakṣiṇam |

nirjagāma gṛhāc chubhrād rāvaṇasyājñayā balī ||

Translation

After saluting Daśagrīva (Rāvaṇa) and also circumambulating him in due form, the mighty warrior went out from the bright palace, acting under Rāvaṇa’s command.

Word by Word

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• abhivādya: having saluted
• abhivādya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-√vad (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्/क्त्वा-समकक्ष)

• daśagrīvam: the ten-headed (Ravana)
• daśagrīvam: Karma (कर्म) (object of abhivādya)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daśa + grīva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; bahuvrīhi epithet 'one who has ten necks/heads' (Ravana)

• kṛtvā: having done
• kṛtvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (समुच्चय/अपि = also/even)

• pradakṣiṇam: circumambulation
• pradakṣiṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pradakṣiṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; object of kṛtvā

• nirjagāma: went out
• nirjagāma: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir-√gam (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्) Perfect, Parasmaipada; 3rd person, Singular

• gṛhāt: from the house
• gṛhāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gṛha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular

• śubhrāt: bright/white (splendid)
• śubhrāt: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubhra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative, Singular; qualifies gṛhāt

• rāvaṇasya: of Ravana
• rāvaṇasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• ājñayā: by the command
• ājñayā: Hetu/Karaṇa (हेतु/करण) (by order)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ājñā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• balī: mighty
• balī: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: balin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; qualifies saḥ (Makarākṣa)

Context

The Rakshasa king was overtaken by both anger and sorrow, bewildered excessively sent for broadeyed Makara, the son of Khara.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa (Daśagrīva)
• Makarākṣa

FAQs

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

Ritual propriety and respect for authority are shown, but the epic invites reflection: outward forms cannot substitute for righteous intent (dharma-sāra).

What is the narrative situation?

Makarākṣa completes formal courtesies to Rāvaṇa and departs to execute the battle-order.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discipline in courtly conduct and readiness to serve one’s king—though ethically misdirected in service of adharma.