अक्षवधः (The Slaying of Prince Aksha)
Sundarakāṇḍa Sarga 47
स बालभावाद्युधि वीर्यदर्पितः प्रवृद्धमन्युः क्षतजोपमेक्षणः।समाससादाप्रतिमं कपिं रणे गजो महाकूपमिवावृतं तृणैः।।5.47.20।।
sa bāla-bhāvād yudhi vīrya-darpitaḥ pravṛddha-manyuḥ kṣata-jopamekṣaṇaḥ | samāsasādāpratimaṃ kapiṃ raṇe gajo mahā-kūpam ivāvṛtaṃ tṛṇaiḥ ||5.47.20||
Jung und vom Stolz auf seine Kraft berauscht, mit anschwellendem Zorn und blutroten Augen, stürmte Akṣa im Kampf auf den unvergleichlichen Hanumān los—wie ein Elefant, der auf eine große, vom Gras verdeckte Grube zustürmt.
Young Aksha, proud of his valour with eyes blood-shot in anger rushed towards the matchless Hanuman, just as an elephant would approach a huge pitfall covered with grass.
The verse warns that youth and pride can cloud judgment. Dharma requires discernment (viveka) and restraint; rash aggression can lead one into unseen ruin, like a concealed pit.
Akṣa, enraged and confident, directly charges Hanumān in close engagement.
By contrast through warning: the need for self-control and prudence; Akṣa’s lack of restraint is foregrounded.