Shloka 12

विराधप्रश्नोत्तर-युद्धम्

Viradha’s Challenge and the Clash in Dandaka

Devanagari script

धनुषा ज्यागुणवता सप्त बाणान्मुमोच ह।रुक्मपुङ्खान्महावेगान्सुपर्णानिलतुल्यगान्।।3.3.12।।

Transliteration

dhanuṣā jyāguṇavatā sapta bāṇān mumoca ha |

rukmapuṅkhān mahāvegān suparṇānilatulyagān || 3.3.12 ||

Translation

ومن قوسٍ مشدود الوتر أطلق سبعة سهامٍ، ذات ريشٍ ذهبيّ، شديدة الاندفاع، سريعة كغارودا وكالريح.

Word by Word

• dhanuṣā: with the bow
• dhanuṣā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanus (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd), Singular

• jyā-guṇa-vatā: having a bowstring-cord
• jyā-guṇa-vatā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jyā (प्रातिपदिक) + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + vat (प्रत्यय)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Neuter, Instrumental (3rd), Singular; qualifying dhanuṣā

• sapta: seven
• sapta: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sapta (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Numeral adjective; Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Plural; qualifying bāṇān

• bāṇān: arrows
• bāṇān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Plural

• mumoca: released
• mumoca: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: muc (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd Person, Singular, Parasmaipada

• ha: indeed
• ha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ha (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), narrative emphasis

• rukma-puṅkhān: golden-feathered
• rukma-puṅkhān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rukma (प्रातिपदिक) + puṅkha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Plural; qualifying bāṇān

• mahā-vegān: of great speed
• mahā-vegān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + vega (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Plural; qualifying bāṇān

• suparṇa-anila-tulya-gān: moving like Garuda and the wind
• suparṇa-anila-tulya-gān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: suparṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + anila (प्रातिपदिक) + tulya (प्रातिपदिक) + ga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound (comparison); Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Plural; qualifying bāṇān

Context

From his bow strung tight, Rama shot seven swift, golden-feathered arrows comparable to Garuda and the Wind-god in speed.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• bow (dhanuḥ)
• Suparṇa (Garuḍa)
• Anila (Wind)

FAQs

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

Strength is portrayed as an instrument under dharma: disciplined martial skill is used to counter adharma effectively.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration highlights the speed and power of Rāma’s arrows as the battle with Virādha continues.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Martial excellence under restraint—skill (śaurya) guided by purpose rather than rage.