Shloka 45
The Slaying of Bala–Nāmuci
शतक्रतुं विधावंति शतशोथ सहस्रशः । अर्धचंद्रैक्षुःरप्रैश्च चिच्छेद पाकशासनः
śatakratuṃ vidhāvaṃti śataśotha sahasraśaḥ | ardhacaṃdraikṣuḥrapraiśca ciccheda pākaśāsanaḥ
Als Śatakratu auf vielerlei Weise floh – zu Hunderten und Tausenden –, streckte Pākaśāsana ihn mit halbmondförmigen Pfeilen nieder.
Narrator (contextual speaker not explicitly identifiable from the single verse)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अर्धचंद्रैक्षुःरप्रैश्च → अर्धचन्द्र-इक्षु-उरप्रैः + च (समुच्चय-द्वन्द्व; च-सम्बन्धः)। शतशोथ → शतशः + अथ (पाठभेद/सन्धि-सम्भावना; IAST ‘śataśotha’ को ‘śataśo ’tha’ इति ग्रहणम्)।
FAQs
Śatakratu is a common epithet of Indra, highlighting his association with many sacrifices (kratu). Pākaśāsana is another name of Indra, traditionally explained as “the chastiser/slayer of Pāka,” recalling an earlier exploit attributed to him.
The phrase evokes the stylized weaponry of epic-Purāṇic warfare, where distinctive arrow-forms (like crescent/half-moon) symbolize precision strikes—often used to cut banners, armor, or limbs, emphasizing martial prowess and dramatic narrative intensity.
Such verses commonly underscore the volatility of power and the inevitability of consequence in conflict: even mighty figures face reversal, and victory is portrayed as contingent—encouraging restraint, dharma-guided action, and humility rather than pride in strength.