Shloka 32

खररामयुद्धम् — The Battle of Khara and Rama

Aranya Kanda, Sarga 28

Devanagari script

प्रभग्नधन्वा विरथो हताश्वो हतसारथिः।गदापाणिरवप्लुत्य तस्थौ भूमौ खरस्तदा।।।।

Transliteration

prabhagna-dhanvā viratho hatāśvo hatasārathiḥ |

gadāpāṇir avaplutya tasthau bhūmau kharas tadā ||

Translation

Da sprang Khara – sein Bogen zerbrochen, sein Wagen verloren, seine Pferde getötet und sein Wagenlenker erschlagen – herab und stand mit der Keule in der Hand auf dem Boden.

Word by Word

• kharam: Khara
• kharam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• tu: but/and
• tu: Sambandha (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle)

• viratham: chariotless
• viratham: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय: "without chariot"; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (qualifying kharam)

• rāmaḥ: Rama
• rāmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• gadāpāṇim: mace-in-hand
• gadāpāṇim: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gadā + pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि: "gadā pāṇau yasya"; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (qualifying kharam)

• avasthitam: standing, stationed
• avasthitam: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ava + sthā (धातु) + kta (क्त) → avasthita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (qualifying kharam)

• mṛdupūrvam: gently at first
• mṛdupūrvam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: mṛdu + pūrva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव: "mṛdu-pūrvam" = gently at first; अव्यय (adverbial)

• mahātejāḥ: the great-splendored one
• mahātejāḥ: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि: "mahā tejaḥ yasya"; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (epithet of rāmaḥ)

• paruṣam: harsh
• paruṣam: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (qualifying vākyam)

• vākyam: words, speech
• vākyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• abravīt: said
• abravīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

Context

Khara, the mighty demon, saw his large, irrepressible army killed. He saw Trisira and Dusana slain singlehanded by Rama. Nervous, he advanced towards Rama wage war just as Namuchi approached Indra.

Characters & Entities

• Khara
• mace (gadā)
• chariot
• horses
• charioteer

FAQs

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

The verse shows the inevitability of consequences in adharma-driven aggression: when wrongful violence collapses, the aggressor is reduced to desperate last measures.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rama destroys his battle equipment and support, Khara dismounts and prepares to fight on foot with a mace.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Tenacity (though misdirected): Khara continues to fight despite severe losses, highlighting endurance without righteousness.