Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 28

द्विचत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 42): Omens in Laṅkā, Report to Rāvaṇa, and the Kinkara Assault

Devanagari script

ते गदाभिर्विचित्राभिः परिघैः काञ्चनाङ्गदैः।आजघ्नुर्वानरश्रेष्ठं शरैश्चादित्यसन्निभैः।।5.42.28।।

Transliteration

te gadābhir vicitrābhiḥ parighaiḥ kāñcanāṅgadaiḥ | ājaghnur vānaraśreṣṭhaṃ śaraiś cādityasannibhaiḥ || 5.42.28 ||

Translation

Sie schlugen den Besten der Vānara mit kunstvollen Keulen und Eisenriegeln mit goldenem Schmuck und beschossen ihn zudem mit Pfeilen, die wie die Sonne glühten.

Word by Word

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• गदाभिः: with maces
• गदाभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gadā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन)

• विचित्राभिः: variegated/wondrous
• विचित्राभिः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vicitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन); agrees with गदाभिः

• परिघैः: with iron bars/crowbars
• परिघैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parigha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन)

• काञ्चन-अङ्गदैः: with golden fittings/ornaments
• काञ्चन-अङ्गदैः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāñcana (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅgada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘kāñcanāni aṅgadāni yeṣām/with golden aṅgadas’; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन); qualifies परिघैः

• आजघ्नुः: they struck/assailed
• आजघ्नुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: han (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (लङ्) imperfect/past, Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन); with preverb ā- (आ)

• वानर-श्रेष्ठम्: the best of the monkeys (Hanuman)
• वानर-श्रेष्ठम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara (प्रातिपदिक) + śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘vānareṣu śreṣṭhaḥ’; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• शरैः: with arrows
• शरैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• आदित्य-सन्निभैः: resembling the sun
• आदित्य-सन्निभैः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āditya (प्रातिपदिक) + sannibha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘ādityavat sannibhāḥ’; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन); qualifies शरैः

Context

They assailed Hanuman with iron maces, crow-bars edged with gold and shining arrows resembling the Sun.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān (vānaraśreṣṭha)
• Kiṅkaras (assailants)
• weapons (gadā, parigha, śara)

FAQs

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

The verse underscores that dharmic resilience is tested under assault. Dharma is not mere idealism; it is endurance and right action under pressure, especially when faced with unjust violence.

What is the narrative situation?

The Kiṅkaras begin the physical attack, showering Hanumān with heavy weapons and sun-bright arrows.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s kṣānti and bala (endurance and strength) in facing a coordinated armed assault.