Shloka 27

कुम्भकर्णवधः

The Slaying of Kumbhakarna

Devanagari script

कुम्भकर्णभुजाभ्यांतुपीडितोवानरर्षभः ।।।।निपपातर्षभोभीमःप्रमुखाद्वान्तशोणितः ।

Transliteration

kumbhakarṇabhujābhyāṃ tu pīḍito vānararṣabhaḥ |

nipapāta ṛṣabho bhīmaḥ pramukhād vāntaśoṇitaḥ ||

Translation

Von Kumbhakarṇas Armen gepresst, stürzte Ṛṣabha — der Stier unter den Vānaras, furchterregend an Gestalt — zu Boden und spie Blut aus seinem Mund.

Word by Word

• कुम्भकर्ण-भुजाभ्याम्: by Kumbhakarna's arms
• कुम्भकर्ण-भुजाभ्याम्: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुम्भकर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + भुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया-द्विवचनम् (Instrumental dual); ‘by Kumbhakarna's two arms’

• तु: but
• तु: सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपातः

• पीडितः: pressed/crushed
• पीडितः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa of वानरर्षभः/ऋषभः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √पीड् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्तः; पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम्

• वानर-ऋषभः: the bull among vanaras
• वानर-ऋषभः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वानर (प्रातिपदिक) + ऋषभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; ‘bull among vanaras’

• निपपात: fell down
• निपपात: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-√पत् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुष-एकवचनम्

• ऋषभः: Rishabha
• ऋषभः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; apposition to वानरर्षभः

• भीमः: terrible
• भीमः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भीम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (qualifying ऋषभः)

• प्रमुखात्: from (his) mouth
• प्रमुखात्: अपादान (Apādāna/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रमुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे पञ्चमी-एकवचनम् (Ablative singular); ‘from the mouth/front’

• वान्त-शोणितः: vomiting blood
• वान्त-शोणितः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa of ऋषभः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √वम् (धातु) + शोणित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; ‘one who has vomited blood’

Context

Rshaba, the bull among Vanaras, of frightful appearance pressed by Kumbhakarna's shoulders, started bleeding from his teeth and fell down.

Characters & Entities

• Kumbhakarṇa
• Ṛṣabha

FAQs

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

It highlights the gravity of war: Dharma treats violence as consequential and tragic, reminding that even the righteous side bears suffering and must remain committed to the higher aim (restoring justice).

What is the narrative situation?

Ṛṣabha is crushed in Kumbhakarṇa’s grip and falls severely injured.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The virtue is śaurya (heroic resolve) implied by Ṛṣabha’s frontline engagement despite mortal risk.