Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 44, Shloka 5

चतुश्चत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 44): निशायुद्धम्, धूलिरुधिरप्रवाहः, इन्द्रजितो मायायुद्धम्

Devanagari script

जहिदारयचैहीतिकथंविद्रवसीतिच ।एवंसुतुमुलश्शब्दस्तस्मिंस्तमसिशुश्रुवे ।।6.44.4।।कालाःकाञ्चनसन्नाहास्तस्मिंस्तमसिराक्षसाः ।सम्प्रदृश्यन्तशैलेन्द्रादीप्तौषधिवनाइव ।।6.44.5।।

Transliteration

jahidāraya caihīti kathaṃ vidravasīti ca |

evaṃ sutumulaḥ śabdas tasmiṃs tamasi śuśruve ||

kālāḥ kāñcana-sannāhās tasmiṃs tamasi rākṣasāḥ |

sampradṛśyanta śailendrā dīptauṣadhivanā iva ||

Translation

في ظلمة الليل سُمِعَ في كل مكان صخبُ القتال: «اضرب! مزّقه! لِمَ تركض؟» وكان الرّاكشاسا، سودَ الهيئة لكنهم يلمعون بدروعٍ ذهبية، ككتلٍ جبلية أضاءتها غاباتُ الأعشابِ المتلألئة.

Word by Word

• tasmin: in that
• tasmin: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Saptamī (7th), Ekavacana

• tamasi: darkness
• tamasi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tamas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Saptamī (7th), Ekavacana

• duṣpāre: hard to cross/penetrate
• duṣpāre: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: duṣpāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Saptamī (7th), Ekavacana; adjective qualifying tamasi

• rākṣasāḥ: Rakshasas
• rākṣasāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana

• krodha-mūrchitāḥ: stupefied with anger
• krodha-mūrchitāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: krodha + mūrchita (कृदन्त; √murch धातु)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa: krodhena mūrchitāḥ = fainted/overcome by anger; PPP

• paripetuḥ: ranged about / flew around
• paripetuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-√pat (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (Perfect), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Bahuvacana; parasmaipada

• mahā-vegāḥ: of great speed
• mahā-vegāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + vega (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; adjective qualifying rākṣasāḥ

• bhakṣayantaḥ: devouring
• bhakṣayantaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया; concomitant action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhakṣayant (कृदन्त; √bhakṣ धातु)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; present active participle (शतृ) agreeing with rākṣasāḥ

• plavaṅgamān: the monkeys
• plavaṅgamān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: plavaṅgama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd), Bahuvacana

Context

The angry Rakshasa (remaining invisible) pierced arrows full of serpents all over the body of Rama and Lakshmana.

Characters & Entities

• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Dharma in conflict includes restraint and discrimination; this verse highlights how darkness and rage can blur moral perception, making disciplined conduct essential.

What is the narrative situation?

The night battle intensifies; the text paints a sensory scene of shouting and the eerie visibility of armoured rākṣasas.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Alertness and composure—virtues needed to avoid adharma when circumstances are confusing.