Shloka 11

बालकाण्डे षट्सप्ततितमः सर्गः

Rāma Subdues Paraśurāma; the Vaiṣṇava Arrow Is Discharged

Devanagari script

जडीकृते तदाऽलोके रामे वरधनुर्धरे।निर्वीर्यो जामदग्न्योऽसौ रामो राममुदैक्षत।।।।।

Transliteration

jaḍīkṛte tadā loke rāme varadhanurdhare | nirvīryo jāmadagnyo ’sau rāmo rāmam udaikṣata ||

Translation

রাম যখন সেই শ্রেষ্ঠ ধনু ধারণ করলেন, তখন জগৎ স্তব্ধ হয়ে গেল। বীর্যহীন জামদগ্ন্য (পরশুরাম) রামের দিকে চেয়ে রইলেন।

Word by Word

• tejobhiḥ: by energies/splendors
• tejobhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd), Plural

• hata-vīryatvāt: because his valor was struck down
• hata-vīryatvāt: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hata (प्रातिपदिक; √han) + vīryatva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative (5th), Singular; tatpuruṣa: hatam vīryatvam yasya/tat = 'loss of valor'; ablative of cause

• jāmadagnyaḥ: Jāmadagnya (Paraśurāma)
• jāmadagnyaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jāmadagnya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• jaḍī-kṛtaḥ: made motionless
• jaḍī-kṛtaḥ: Kartṛ-viśeṣaṇa (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jaḍī (प्रातिपदिक) + √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Past participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; predicate adjective

• rāmam: Rāma
• rāmam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• kamala-patra-akṣam: lotus-petal-eyed
• kamala-patra-akṣam: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kamala (प्रातिपदिक) + patra (प्रातिपदिक) + akṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; bahuvrīhi: kamalapatre iva akṣī yasya saḥ = 'lotus-petal-eyed'; agrees with rāmam

• mandam: slowly
• mandam: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: manda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial accusative (क्रियाविशेषण-रूपेण द्वितीया): 'slowly'

• mandam: very slowly
• mandam: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: manda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial repetition for emphasis

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (Perfect), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• ha: indeed
• ha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ha (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निपात)

Context

Then when Rama stretched the great bow, the world became motionless. The son of Jamadagni, Parasurama, bereft of prowess gazed at him with astonishment.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Jāmadagnya (Paraśurāma)

FAQs

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

True dharma subdues arrogance: power aligned with righteousness stills conflict and forces recognition of higher order.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma’s handling of the supreme bow creates a moment of stunned stillness; Paraśurāma realizes his advantage has vanished and looks at Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s composed strength (tejas with restraint), which overcomes without needless escalation.