Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 98, Shloka 32

महोदरवधः

The Slaying of Mahodara

Devanagari script

तुशूरोमहावेगोवीर्यश्लाघीमहोदरः ।।6.98.32।।महाचर्मणितंखडगंपातयामासदुर्मतिः ।

Transliteration

tu śūro mahāvego vīryaślāghī mahodaraḥ |

mahācarmaṇi taṃ khaḍgaṃ pātayāmāsa durmatiḥ ||6.98.32||

Translation

غير أنّ ماهودارا—شجاعٌ شديد الاندفاع، متباهٍ ببأسه، سيّئ الرأي—هوى بسيفه على ترس سُغريفا العظيم.

Word by Word

• तु: but; indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अनुवादक-अव्यय (but/indeed)

• शूरः: the warrior
• शूरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śūra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• महावेगः: of great speed
• महावेगः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (पूर्वपद) + vega (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: महान् वेगः यस्य

• वीर्यश्लाघी: boasting of valor
• वीर्यश्लाघी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vīrya (प्रातिपदिक) + ślāghin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विषय-तत्पुरुष: वीर्ये श्लाघी (boasting of valor)

• महोदरः: Mahodara
• महोदरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (पूर्वपद) + udara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम; कर्मधारय: महत् उदरं यस्य

• महाचर्मणि: on the great shield
• महाचर्मणि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (पूर्वपद) + carman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: महत् चर्म (great shield)

• तम्: that
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसक, द्वितीया, एकवचन; अन्वयात् खड्गम् इति निर्देश

• खड्गम्: sword
• खड्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khaḍga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• पातयामास: hurled; caused to fall
• पातयामास: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pat (धातु) + ṇic (णिच् causative)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद; प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; णिजन्त: पातयति (to cause to fall)

• दुर्मतिः: the evil-minded one
• दुर्मतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dur (उपसर्ग/पूर्वपद) + mati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: दुष्टा मतिः यस्य

Context

Mahodara, a warrior, evil minded one, endowed with great speed, hurled the sword on the shield of Sugriva.

Characters & Entities

• Mahodara
• Sugrīva (implied as bearer of shield)
• Sword (khaḍga)
• Shield (mahācarma)

FAQs

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

Power and bravery without right judgment (mati) becomes ethically compromised; the verse contrasts valor with inner moral orientation, hinting that adharma distorts heroism.

What is the narrative situation?

Mahodara lands a forceful blow, striking Sugrīva’s shield with his sword.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sugrīva’s defensive steadiness is implied—he withstands the blow with his shield, maintaining composure in combat.