Shloka 8

खरसेनासङ्ग्रामः

The Battle with Khara’s Host at the Hermitage

Devanagari script

मुद्गरैः पट्टसैश्शूलैः प्रासैः खङ्गै परश्वथैः।राक्षसास्समरे रामं निजघ्नू रोषतत्पराः।।।।

Transliteration

mudgaraiḥ paṭṭasaiḥ śūlaiḥ prāsaiḥ khaṅgaiḥ paraśvadhaiḥ |

rākṣasāḥ samare rāmaṃ nijaghnū roṣatatparāḥ ||

Translation

Von Zorn getrieben, schlugen die Rākṣasas im Kampf unablässig auf Rāma ein – mit Keulen, Speeren, Piken, Wurfspießen, Schwertern und Streitäxten.

Word by Word

• mudgaraiḥ: with hammers/maces
• mudgaraiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mudgara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• paṭṭasaiḥ: with axes/spears (paṭṭasa weapons)
• paṭṭasaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paṭṭasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• śūlaiḥ: with pikes/tridents
• śūlaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• prāsaiḥ: with javelins
• prāsaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• khaṅgaiḥ: with swords
• khaṅgaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khaṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• paraśvadhaiḥ: with battle-axes
• paraśvadhaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paraśvadha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• rākṣasāḥ: demons
• rākṣasāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• samare: in battle
• samare: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

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

• nijaghnū: struck/assailed
• nijaghnū: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-√han (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Plural; Parasmaipada; (epic usage) 'struck/assailed'

• roṣa-tatparāḥ: intent on rage
• roṣa-tatparāḥ: Karta (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: roṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + tatpara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; qualifying rākṣasāḥ; 'intent on anger'

Context

Thereafter all the infuriated demons showered on invincible Rama, wielder of a fierce bow, many kinds of weapons.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Rage (roṣa) is shown as the motive force of adharma; Dharma requires control of anger and the refusal to harm without justice.

What is the narrative situation?

The rākṣasas escalate the attack, employing multiple classes of close and thrown weapons against Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s kṣānti (forbearance) and disciplined courage are implied by his standing firm amid a weapon-storm.