Shloka 13

प्रहस्तवधः

The Slaying of Prahasta

Devanagari script

निरुच्छवासाःकृता: केचित्पतिताधरणीतले ।।।।विभिन्नहृदयाःकेचिदिषुसन्धानसन्दिताः ।

Transliteration

nirucchvāsāḥ kṛtāḥ kecit patitā dharaṇītale | vibhinnahṛdayāḥ kecid iṣusandhānasanditāḥ ||

Translation

Einige wurden des Atems beraubt und fielen zu Boden; andere, von wohlgezielten Pfeilen durchbohrt, hatten das Herz gespalten.

Word by Word

• निरुच्छ्वासाः: breathless
• निरुच्छ्वासाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nir-ucchvāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण

• कृताः: made (to be)
• कृताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); भावे/कर्मणि (made)

• केचित्: some
• केचित्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनार्थे (some)

• पतिताः: fallen
• पतिताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pat (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past active/PPP usage), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (fallen)

• धरणी-तले: on the ground
• धरणी-तले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharaṇī (प्रातिपदिक) + tala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: धरण्याः तलम्

• विभिन्न-हृदयाः: with hearts split
• विभिन्न-हृदयाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vibhinna (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + hṛdaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः: विभिन्नं हृदयम् येषाम् (sense often bahuvrihi-like, but form used adjectivally)

• केचित्: some
• केचित्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनार्थे (some)

• इषु-सन्धान-सन्दिताः: pierced by arrows
• इषु-सन्धान-सन्दिताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: iṣu (प्रातिपदिक) + sandhāna (प्रातिपदिक) + sandita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (determinative): इषुसन्धानैः सन्दिताः (pierced by arrow-shots)

Context

Few got cut and deprived of life and fell on the ground. Some struck by arrows had their hearts broken into pieces.

Characters & Entities

• Vānara army
• Rākṣasa army
• arrows (iṣu)

FAQs

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

It underscores impermanence and accountability: life is fragile, and violence—especially when rooted in unrighteous causes—brings swift, irreversible consequences.

What is the narrative situation?

The narrator details the immediate effects of battle—fighters collapsing lifeless and others pierced through vital organs by arrows.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The implied virtue is vigilance and disciplined intent in action; the verse contrasts skill (well-aimed arrows) with the tragic outcome of war.