Shloka 26

धूम्राक्षप्रेषणम्

The Dispatch of Dhūmrākṣa

Devanagari script

रथैःकवचिनस्त्वन्येध्वजैश्चसमलङ्कृतैः ।सुवर्णजालविहितैःखरैश्चविविधाननैः ।।6.51.26।।हयैःपरमशीघ्रैश्चगजैश्चैवमदोत्कटैः ।निर्ययुर्नैरृतव्याघ्राव्याघ्राइवदुरासदाः ।।6.51.27।।

Transliteration

rathaiḥ kavacinas tv anye dhvajaiś ca samalaṅkṛtaiḥ |

suvarṇa-jāla-vihitaiḥ kharaiś ca vividhānanaiḥ ||6.51.26||

hayaiḥ parama-śīghraiś ca gajaiś caiva madotkaṭaiḥ |

niryayur nairṛta-vyāghrā vyāghrā iva durāsadāḥ ||6.51.27||

Translation

Andere—gepanzert und mit Bannern—zogen auf geschmückten Wagen aus, die von Eseln mit seltsamem Antlitz gezogen wurden, überzogen von goldenen Netzen; mit überaus schnellen Rossen und von Brunst rasenden Elefanten rückten jene „Tiger unter den Rākṣasas“ vor, schwer zu nahen wie wirkliche Tiger.

Word by Word

• वृक-सिंह-मुखैः: with wolf- and lion-faces
• वृक-सिंह-मुखैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृक (प्रातिपदिक) + सिंह (प्रातिपदिक) + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वः (वृक-मुखैः सिंह-मुखैः च)

• युक्तम्: yoked
• युक्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; रथम् विशेषयति

• खरैः: with donkeys
• खरैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• कनक-भूषणैः: adorned with gold ornaments
• कनक-भूषणैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कनक (प्रातिपदिक) + भूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (कनकस्य भूषणानि येषाम्)

• आरुरोह: mounted
• आरुरोह: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ+रुह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• रथम्: chariot
• रथम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• दिव्यम्: splendid
• दिव्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; रथम् विशेषयति

• धूम्राक्षः: Dhumraksha
• धूम्राक्षः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूम्राक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• खर-निःस्वनः: with donkey-like braying sound
• खर-निःस्वनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: खर (प्रातिपदिक) + निःस्वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (खरवत् निःस्वनः यस्य)

Context

The dreadful Rakshasas set out roaring like rain clouds armed with different kinds of weapons, like tridents, darts, maces, spears, iron bars, rods, even clubs, spears and slings, arrows in thousands.

Characters & Entities

• Rākṣasas (nairṛtāḥ)
• Chariots
• Horses
• Elephants
• Banners (dhvaja)

FAQs

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

The verse depicts splendor and military might; dharma reflection: external grandeur (gold, banners, armies) is not a sign of righteousness—right conduct and truth (satya) are the true measures.

What is the narrative situation?

A large, well-equipped rākṣasa detachment rides out with chariots, horses, and elephants to confront the enemy.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage and aggressiveness in battle (valor as a capability), set within an adharma-aligned campaign.