Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 60, Shloka 3

कुम्भकर्णविबोधनम्

The Awakening of Kumbhakarna

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मदण्डप्रतीकानांविद्युत्सदृशवर्चसाम् ।स्मरन्राघवबाणानांविव्यथेराक्षसेश्वरः ।।।।

Transliteration

brahmadaṇḍa-pratīkānāṁ vidyut-sadṛśa-varcasām |

smaran rāghava-bāṇānāṁ vivyathe rākṣaseśvaraḥ ||6.60.3||

Translation

ব্ৰহ্মদণ্ড সদৃশ ধূমকেতু-চিহ্নযুক্ত, বিদ্যুৎসম দীপ্তিমান ৰাঘৱৰ বাণসমূহ স্মৰণ কৰি ৰাক্ষসেশ্বৰ অতিশয় ব্যথিত হ’ল ॥৬.৬০.৩॥

Word by Word

• brahmadaṇḍa-pratīkānām: of those resembling Brahma's rod
• brahmadaṇḍa-pratīkānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: brahmadaṇḍa+pratīka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी, बहुवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मदण्डस्य प्रतीकाः) विशेषणम् (बाणानाम्)

• vidyut-sadṛśa-varcasām: of those with lightning-like brilliance
• vidyut-sadṛśa-varcasām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vidyut+sadṛśa+varcas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी, बहुवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (विद्युतः सदृशं वर्चः येषाम्) विशेषणम् (बाणानाम्)

• smaran: remembering
• smaran: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √smṛ (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्तः (शतृ), पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम्; 'remembering'

• rāghava-bāṇānām: of Rama's arrows
• rāghava-bāṇānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāghava+bāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी, बहुवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (राघवस्य बाणाः)

• vivyathe: was greatly distressed
• vivyathe: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi+√vyath (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकारः (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; आत्मनेपदम्

• rākṣaseśvaraḥ: the lord of Rakshasas
• rākṣaseśvaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa+īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (राक्षसानाम् ईश्वरः)

Context

The Lord of Rakshasas remained disquieted recalling the arrows of Rama which emitted light like lightning, resembling Brahmadanda.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Rāghava (Rāma)

FAQs

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

Adharma ultimately generates fear and inner instability. When one opposes satya and dharma, even great power (like Rāvaṇa’s) becomes anxious before righteous force.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa, under pressure in the war, recalls the terrifying efficacy of Rāma’s arrows and becomes unsettled—setting the stage for desperate measures like awakening Kumbhakarṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s dharmic prowess is implied: disciplined, righteous strength that inspires awe even in enemies.