Shloka 33

महोत्पात-लक्षणानि

Omens before Khara’s Assault

Devanagari script

श्येनगामी पृथुग्रीवो यज्ञशत्रुर्विहङ्गमः।दुर्जयः करवीराक्षः परुषः कालकार्मुकः।।3.23.32।।मेघमाली महामाली सर्वास्यो रुधिराशनः।द्वादशैते महावीर्याः प्रतस्थुरभितः खरम्।।3.23.33।।

Transliteration

śyena-gāmī pṛthu-grīvo yajña-śatrur vihaṅgamaḥ |

durjayaḥ karavīrākṣaḥ paruṣaḥ kāla-kārmukaḥ || 3.23.32 ||

megha-mālī mahā-mālī sarvāsyo rudhirāśanaḥ |

dvādaśaite mahā-vīryāḥ pratasthur abhitaḥ kharam || 3.23.33 ||

Translation

Erneut werden genannt: Śyenagāmī, Pṛthugrīva, Yajñaśatru, Vihaṅgama, Durjaya, Karavīrākṣa, Paruṣa, Kālakārmuka, Meghamālī, Mahāmālī, Sarvāsya und Rudhirāśana; diese zwölf mächtigen Rākṣasa-Kämpfer rückten aus und bildeten einen engen Ring um Khara.

Word by Word

• mahākapāliḥ: Mahākapāli
• mahākapāliḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + kapālin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (‘great-skulled/with great skull’)

• sthūlākṣaḥ: Sthūlākṣa
• sthūlākṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sthūla + akṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (‘big-eyed’)

• pramāthī: Pramāthī (crusher)
• pramāthī: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pra + math (मथ् धातु) + in (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; धातुज-नाम (agent noun)

• triśirāḥ: Triśirā (three-headed)
• triśirāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri + śiras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (‘three-headed’)

• tathā: and likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अव्यय-प्रकारः—समुच्चय/अनुकरण (‘also, likewise’)

• catvāraḥ: four
• catvāraḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: catvāri (संख्याशब्द-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; संख्याविशेषणम्

• ete: these
• ete: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• senānyaḥ: commanders
• senānyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: senānī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘army-leaders’

• dūṣaṇam: Dūṣaṇa
• dūṣaṇam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dūṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; (proper name)

• pṛṣṭhataḥ: from behind
• pṛṣṭhataḥ: Adhikaraṇa/Deśa (अधिकरण/स्थान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pṛṣṭhatas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक—‘from behind/at the rear’

• yayuḥ: went, marched
• yayuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yā (या धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Context

Surrounded by twelve valiant warriors like Syenagami, Pruthugreeva, Yagnasatru, Vihangama, Durjaya, Karaviraksha, Parusha, Kalakarmuka, Meghmali, Mahamali, Sarpasya and Rudhirasana, Khara proceeded.

FAQs

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

The repeated catalogue underlines the theme that adharma relies on amassed might; dharma’s strength is principled action rather than mere numbers.

What is the narrative situation?

A repeated narration emphasizes the number and identity of Khara’s close accompanying champions.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s implied virtue is courage anchored in righteousness, not shaken by the display of intimidating force.