Shloka 18

विंशः सर्गः (Sarga 20): शूर्पणखाप्रेरितराक्षसवधः

The Slaying of the Fourteen Demons Sent by Śūrpaṇakhā

Devanagari script

गृहीत्वा धनुरायम्य लक्ष्यानुद्दिश्य राक्षसान्।मुमोच राघवो बाणान्वज्रानिव शतक्रतुः।।।।

Transliteration

gṛhītvā dhanur āyamya lakṣyān uddiśya rākṣasān | mumoca rāghavo bāṇān vajrān iva śatakratuḥ ||

Translation

أخذ راغهافا قوسه وشدَّه حتى استوى، وجعل الرّاكشاس أهدافًا له، فأطلق سهامه كأنها صواعقُ شتاكراتو (إندرا) يقذفها.

Word by Word

• gṛhītvā: having taken
• gṛhītvā: Kriya (क्रिया; pūrvakāla-kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: grah (ग्रह् धातु)
• Form: Ktvā-pratyaya absolutive (क्त्वान्त), ‘having taken’

• dhanuḥ: bow
• dhanuḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanus (धनुस् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) Singular (एकवचन)

• āyamya: having stretched
• āyamya: Kriya (क्रिया; pūrvakāla-kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yam (यम् धातु)
• Form: Lyap/absolutive (ल्यबन्त), with prefix ā-; ‘having stretched/drawn’

• lakṣyān: targets
• lakṣyān: Karma (कर्म; object of aiming)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣya (लक्ष्य प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) Plural (बहुवचन)

• uddiśya: aiming at
• uddiśya: Kriya (क्रिया; pūrvakāla-kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: diś (दिश् धातु)
• Form: Lyap/absolutive (ल्यबन्त), with prefix ud-; ‘having aimed at/pointed towards’

• rākṣasān: demons
• rākṣasān: Karma (कर्म; object of aiming)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) Plural (बहुवचन)

• mumoca: released
• mumoca: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: muc (मुच् धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्; perfect), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष) Singular (एकवचन)

• rāghavaḥ: Rāghava (Rama)
• rāghavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāghava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular (एकवचन)

• bāṇān: arrows
• bāṇān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) Plural (बहुवचन)

• vajrān: thunderbolts
• vajrān: Upamāna (उपमान; simile standard)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vajra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) Plural (बहुवचन); used in simile with iva

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Simile particle (उपमावाचक निपात)

• śatakratuḥ: Śatakratu (Indra)
• śatakratuḥ: Upamāna (उपमान; compared agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śatakratu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Singular (एकवचन); epithet of Indra; bahuvrīhi ‘he whose rites are a hundred’

Context

Rama took the bow, stretched it and aimed at his target, the demons and sent the arrows as Indra would release the thunderbolt.

Characters & Entities

• Rama (Rāghava)
• rākṣasas
• Indra (Śatakratu)
• bow
• vajra (thunderbolt)

FAQs

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

Dharma is upheld through competent protection: Rama’s action is portrayed as divinely effective, suggesting that righteous defense should be decisive and skillful.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama draws his bow, takes the demons as his targets, and releases arrows with overwhelming force.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Martial excellence joined to purpose—Rama’s focused aim and controlled release reflect disciplined valor.