Shloka 5

वज्रदंष्ट्रवधः — The Slaying of Vajradaṃṣṭra

Angada’s Duel

Devanagari script

तत्रायुधसहस्राणितस्मिन्नायोधनेभृशम् ।राक्षसाःकपिमुख्येषुपातयांचक्रिरेतदा ।।6.54.5।।

Transliteration

tatrāyudha-sahasrāṇi tasminn āyodhane bhṛśam |

rākṣasāḥ kapimukhyeṣu pātayāṃ cakrire tadā ||6.54.5||

Translation

Dort, in jenem grimmigen Kampf, schleuderten die Rākṣasa damals tausendfach Waffen auf die führenden Vānara-Häuptlinge.

Word by Word

तत्रthere

आयुधसहस्राणिthousands of weapons/missiles

तस्मिन्in that

आयोधनेin the battle

भृशम्violently/vehemently

राक्षसाःRakshasas

कपिमुख्येषुamong the chief monkeys

पातयाम्they caused to fall / hurled

चक्रिरेthey did / they performed

तदाthen

Context

His (Vajradamshtra's) limbs bathed in blood, cut off by sword, eyeballs rolling cleft into two dropped down.

Characters & Entities

Rākṣasas

Vānara leaders

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the reality of adharma-driven aggression in war—violence directed at leaders to break morale—contrasted implicitly with the vānara cause of restoring righteousness.

What is the narrative situation?

Rākṣasa forces intensify their assault, concentrating missile attacks on the vānara commanders.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness under pressure—leadership is tested when targeted by overwhelming force.