Shloka 18

प्रहस्तवधः

The Slaying of Prahasta

Devanagari script

वानराराक्षसाःक्रुद्धावीरमार्गमनुव्रताः ।।।।विवृत्तनयनाःक्रूराश्चक्रुःकर्माण्यभीतवत् ।

Transliteration

vānarārākṣasāḥ kruddhā vīramārgam anuvratāḥ | vivṛttanayanāḥ krūrāś cakruḥ karmāṇy abhītavat ||

Translation

Zornentbrannt und dem Pfad der Helden folgend, vollführten Vānaras und Rākṣasas — mit rollenden Augen und grausamem Antlitz — ihre Kriegstaten ohne Furcht.

Word by Word

• वानर-राक्षसाः: Vanaras and Rakshasas
• वानर-राक्षसाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara (प्रातिपदिक) + rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः: वानराः च राक्षसाः च

• क्रुद्धाः: angry
• क्रुद्धाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: krudh (धातु)
• Form: क्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्तृ-विशेषण

• वीर-मार्गम्: the path of heroes
• वीर-मार्गम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vīra (प्रातिपदिक) + mārga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: वीराणां मार्गः

• अनुव्रताः: following
• अनुव्रताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anu-vratin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण (following)

• विवृत्त-नयनाः: with rolling eyes
• विवृत्त-नयनाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vivṛtta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + nayana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः: विवृत्ते नयने येषाम्

• क्रूराः: cruel
• क्रूराः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: krūra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• चक्रुः: did/performed
• चक्रुः: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• कर्माणि: deeds
• कर्माणि: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• अभीतवत्: fearlessly
• अभीतवत्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: abhīta-vat (अव्यय/वत्-प्रत्ययान्त)
• Form: उपमानवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: like one fearless)

Context

Following the path of heroes and infuriated, their eyes reeling, the vanaras and rakshasas carried out their deeds without fear.

Characters & Entities

• Vānaras
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

The verse distinguishes fearlessness from righteousness: bravery is ethically meaningful only when placed in service of dharma and satya, not merely driven by rage.

What is the narrative situation?

Both sides fight intensely and fearlessly, showing the ferocity of the ongoing combat.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vīrya (valor) and abhaya (fearlessness), though portrayed with the warning sign of uncontrolled anger.