Shloka 16
निकुम्भवधः — The Slaying of Nikumbha
Hanuman’s Duel
ततःपुस्फोटचर्मास्यप्रसुस्राव च शोणितम् ।।।।मुष्टिनातेनसञ्जज्ञेमेघेविद्युदिवोत्थिता ।
tataḥ pusphoṭa carmāsya prasusrāva ca śoṇitam |
muṣṭinā tena sañjajñe meghe vidyud ivotthitā ||
Da riss seine Haut auf und Blut begann zu fließen; durch diesen Faustschlag erschien es wie ein Blitz, der aus einer Wolke hervorbricht.
By that blow, Nikumbha was not moved. Recovering from that he caught hold of Hanuman of extraordinary strength.
FAQs
The verse underscores karmic consequence within battle: harmful intent meets an answering force; dharma protects its agents while adharma brings suffering.
Hanumān’s punch wounds Nikumbha; blood flows and is poetically compared to lightning in a cloud.
Pratāpa (overwhelming might): Hanumān’s strength is depicted as swift and impactful.