Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 98, Shloka 38

महोदरवधः

The Slaying of Mahodara

Transliteration

atha vijayam avāpa vānarendro raṇasamaramukhe surasiddhayakṣasaṅghaiḥ |

anavaratagatāiś ca bhūtasaṅghair harṣaruṣasamākulitais tato mahātmānaḥ ||6.98.38||

Translation

Then the lord of the Vānaras attained victory at the very front of battle; and hosts of Suras, Siddhas, and Yakṣas—together with multitudes of beings on earth—were stirred with joy as they watched.

Word by Word

• अथ: then; now
• अथ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: आरम्भ/अनन्तरवाचक-अव्यय (now/then)

• विजयम्: victory
• विजयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vijaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अवाप: obtained; attained
• अवाप: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava + āp (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद; प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• वानरेन्द्रः: lord of monkeys
• वानरेन्द्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara (प्रातिपदिक) + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: वानराणाम् इन्द्रः

• समरमुखे: at the battle-front
• समरमुखे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samara (प्रातिपदिक) + mukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: समरस्य मुखम् (front of battle)

• सुरसिद्धयक्षसङ्घैः: with hosts of gods, siddhas, and yakshas
• सुरसिद्धयक्षसङ्घैः: Sahakāraka (सह/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sura (प्रातिपदिक) + siddha (प्रातिपदिक) + yakṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + saṅgha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; समाहार/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: सुर-सिद्ध-यक्षाणां सङ्घैः

• अनिवृतलगतैः: with unceasing/unchecked (ones)
• अनिवृतलगतैः: Sahakāraka (सह/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- (नञ्) + nivṛta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + lagata (प्रातिपदिक/विशेषण)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; नञ्-युक्त विशेषण: ‘unrestrained/unchecked’; (पाठभेदसम्भवः—अविरत/अनिवृत्त)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय

• भूतसङ्घैः: with hosts of beings
• भूतसङ्घैः: Sahakāraka (सह/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūta (प्रातिपदिक) + saṅgha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: भूतानां सङ्घैः

• अहररुषसमाकुलितैः: with those agitated by (constant) wrath
• अहररुषसमाकुलितैः: Sahakāraka (सह/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ahar (प्रातिपदिक) + ruṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + samākulita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: अहररुषेण समाकुलितैः (agitated by day-long wrath)

• ततः: thereupon
• ततः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रमवाचक-अव्यय

• महातमा: great darkness
• महातमा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (पूर्वपद) + tama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: महान् तमः (great darkness); (पाठ/संदर्भ अस्पष्ट—दत्त IAST दूषित)

Context

In that great war, enraged Mahodara with arrows decked in gold shattered the Vanaras by attacking on hands, legs, and thighs.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Suras
• Siddhas
• Yakṣas
• Bhūtas (beings)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as something witnessed and affirmed by the wider cosmos: when righteousness prevails, even celestial and earthly beings respond with approval and relief.

What is the narrative situation?

After Mahodara’s defeat, Sugrīva’s victory is acknowledged as spectators—celestial and terrestrial—react with delighted excitement.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sugrīva’s battlefield leadership and steadfast courage at the front line, associated with rightful victory.