Shloka 19

युद्धकाण्डे त्रिपञ्चाशः सर्गः — धूम्राक्षवधश्रवणं, वज्रदंष्ट्रप्रेषणं, अङ्गद-राक्षसयुद्धम्

Ravana Dispatches Vajradamshtra; Portents and Angada’s Assault

Devanagari script

निष्पतन्तोमहोत्साहोभिन्नदेहशिरोधराः ।रुधिरोक्षितसर्वाङ्गान्यपतन्थरणीतले ।।।।

Transliteration

niṣpatanto mahotsāhā bhinnadehaśirodharāḥ |

rudhirokṣitasarvāṅgā nyapatan dharaṇītale ||

Translation

Mit großem Kampfesmut stürmten sie voran, doch fielen sie zur Erde: die Leiber zerschmettert, die Häupter abgeschlagen, und jedes Glied von Blut benetzt.

Word by Word

• निष्पतन्तः: rushing forth/leaping
• निष्पतन्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nis√pat (धातु) + śatṛ (कृत्)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (masc nom pl); ‘leaping/falling out, rushing forth’

• महोत्साहाः: very energetic
• महोत्साहाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + utsāha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (masc nom pl)

• भिन्नदेहशिरोधराः: with bodies and heads shattered
• भिन्नदेहशिरोधराः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhinna (कृदन्त; from √bhid) + deha (प्रातिपदिक) + śiras (प्रातिपदिक) + dhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (masc nom pl); अर्थः: ‘भिन्नौ देहशिरसी येषाम्’ (whose bodies and heads are broken/severed)

• रुधिरोक्षितसर्वाङ्गाः: blood-drenched all over
• रुधिरोक्षितसर्वाङ्गाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rudhira (प्रातिपदिक) + ukṣita (कृदन्त; from √ukṣ ‘to sprinkle’) + sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणम्; अर्थः: ‘रुधिरेण उक्षितानि सर्वाङ्गानि येषाम्’ (whose whole bodies are drenched with blood)

• न्यपतन्: fell
• न्यपतन्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni√pat (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद (they fell down)

• धरणीतले: on the ground
• धरणीतले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharaṇī (प्रातिपदिक) + tala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी: धरण्याः तलम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (neuter loc sg)

Context

Proceeding Further, very eager to fight they fell on the ground with their bodies broken, heads severed, and all limbs bathed in blood.

FAQs

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

The verse underscores the grave cost of adharma-driven warfare: valor without righteous restraint culminates in destruction. It reminds readers that true dharma values life and measured conduct, even amid conflict.

What is the narrative situation?

A brutal phase of the Laṅkā war is being described, where combatants charge forward and are cut down, falling mutilated and bloodied on the battlefield.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Battle-courage (śaurya/utsāha) is depicted, but the imagery also cautions that courage alone is not sufficient unless guided by dharma.