Shloka 28

कुम्भकर्णप्रस्थानम्

Kumbhakarna’s Departure for Battle

Devanagari script

काञ्चनाङ्गदकेयूरोनिष्काभरणभूषितः ।।।।कुम्भकर्णोबृहत्कर्णस्सुहुतोऽग्निरिवाबभौ ।

Transliteration

kāñcanāṅgadakeyūro niṣkābharaṇabhūṣitaḥ | kumbhakarṇo bṛhatkarṇaḥ suhuto 'gnir iva ābabhau ||

Translation

Geschmückt mit goldenen Armreifen und Spangen und geziert mit Niṣka-Schmuck, erstrahlte Kumbhakarṇa, der Breitohren, wie ein wohl entfachtes Opferfeuer.

Word by Word

• काञ्चनाङ्गदकेयूरः: (one) with golden armlets and keyūras
• काञ्चनाङ्गदकेयूरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काञ्चन + अङ्गद + केयूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• निष्काभरणभूषितः: adorned with gold ornaments
• निष्काभरणभूषितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निष्क + आभरण + भूषित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; भूष् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• कुम्भकर्णः: Kumbhakarna
• कुम्भकर्णः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुम्भकर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• बृहत्कर्णः: large-eared
• बृहत्कर्णः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बृहत् + कर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• सुहुतः: well-kindled (well-offered)
• सुहुतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + हुत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; हु धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• अग्निः: fire
• अग्निः: Upamana (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative singular)

• इव: like
• इव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमावाचक-निपातः (particle of comparison)

• आबभौ: shone; appeared
• आबभौ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + भा (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम् (3rd person singular)

Context

Adorned with armlets studded with gems and golden ornaments on his distinguished large ears, Kumbhakarna shone like fire.

Characters & Entities

• Kumbhakarṇa
• Agni (fire)

FAQs

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

The simile of sacrificial fire evokes dharma as consecrated duty: the warrior’s readiness is portrayed as a solemn, almost ritual commitment to his role.

What is the narrative situation?

Kumbhakarṇa, fully ornamented, is described in elevated imagery to mark his formidable presence before entering battle.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Utsāha (ardour) and preparedness—strength presented as disciplined readiness.