Shloka 22

खररामयुद्धम् — The Battle of Khara and Rama

Aranya Kanda, Sarga 28

Devanagari script

ततः कनकपुङ्खैस्तु शरैस्सन्नतपर्वभिः।बिभेद रामस्सङ्क्रुद्धः खरस्य समरे ध्वजम्।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ kanaka-puṅkhais tu śarais sannata-parvabhiḥ |

bibheda rāmaḥ saṅkruddhaḥ kharasya samare dhvajam ||

Translation

তাৰ পিছত ক্ৰোধিত শ্ৰীৰামে সোনালী পাখিযুক্ত, সু-সংধিযুক্ত শৰসমূহেৰে সমৰত খৰৰ ধ্বজ ভেদি চূৰ্ণ-বিচূৰ্ণ কৰি পেলালে।

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb

• kanaka-puṅkhaiḥ: with golden-feathered
• kanaka-puṅkhaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kanaka (प्रातिपदिक) + puṅkha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa; adjective to śaraiḥ

• tu: indeed/and
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, particle (निपात)

• śaraiḥ: with arrows
• śaraiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana

• sannata-parvabhiḥ: with well-jointed (smooth-knotted)
• sannata-parvabhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sannata (प्रातिपदिक) + parvan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa; adjective to śaraiḥ

• bibheda: split/broke
• bibheda: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhid (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्, perfect), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• rāmaḥ: Rama
• rāmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• saṅkruddhaḥ: enraged
• saṅkruddhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-√krudh (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Kta-participle, Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; adjective to rāmaḥ

• kharasya: of Khara
• kharasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana

• samare: in battle
• samare: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī (7th/सप्तमी), Ekavacana

• dhvajam: flag
• dhvajam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhvaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

Context

Rama took up in a rage the well-jointed, smooth darts with golden feathers and broke the flag post of the chariot of Khara to pieces.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Khara

FAQs

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

Dharma in warfare includes strategic restraint: striking the enemy’s standard weakens morale and capacity, aiming to end violence efficiently rather than prolong suffering.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama counters Khara’s assault by targeting and destroying Khara’s chariot-flag/standard with expertly made arrows.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Tactical intelligence (nīti) joined to valor: Rama’s response is precise and outcome-oriented.