Shloka 18

रावणशूलप्रक्षेपः

Ravana Hurls the Trident; Rama Counters with Indra’s Javelin

Devanagari script

शूलोऽयंवज्रसारस्तेरामरोषान्मयोद्यतः ।तवभ्रातृसहायस्यसम्यक् प्राणान् हरिष्यति ।।।।

Transliteration

śūlo 'yaṃ vajrasāras te rāma roṣān mayodyataḥ |

tava bhrātṛsahāyasya samyak prāṇān hariṣyati ||6.104.18||

Translation

O Rama, dieser Dreizack, hart wie ein Donnerkeil und von mir im Zorn erhoben, wird dir und deinem Bruder, deinem Verbündeten, gewiss das Leben nehmen.

Word by Word

• śūlaḥ: trident
• śūlaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• ayam: this
• ayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); demonstrative

• vajra-sāraḥ: hard as a thunderbolt
• vajra-sāraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vajra (प्रातिपदिक) + sāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); 'having thunderbolt-like hardness'

• te: for you / to you
• te: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular (एकवचन)

• rāma: O Rama
• rāma: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)

• roṣāt: from anger
• roṣāt: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: roṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• mayā: by me
• mayā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• udyataḥ: raised
• udyataḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ud-√yam (धातु) + kta (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त) used adjectivally: 'raised/brandished'; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• tava: your
• tava: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• bhrātṛ-sahāyasya: of you who have your brother as ally
• bhrātṛ-sahāyasya: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक) + sahāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; 'of (one) having brother as helper' (i.e., with your brother as ally)

• samyak: completely
• samyak: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samyak (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• prāṇān: lives / vital breaths
• prāṇān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• hariṣyati: will take away
• hariṣyati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √hṛ (धातु)
• Form: Simple Future (लृट्), 3rd Person, Singular; parasmaipada

Context

"O Rama! This thunderbolt like trident taken up by me now will take away your life along with your brother's."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa (implied by “brother”)
• Śūla (trident)

FAQs

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

The verse exemplifies adharma through धमकी (threat) and rage-driven intent; dharma upholds truth and justice, not intimidation or violence born of ego.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa openly threatens to kill Rāma and his brother (Lakṣmaṇa), declaring the lethal power of his trident.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s virtue (by contrast) is fearlessness grounded in righteousness—remaining unwavering despite direct threats.