Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 79, Shloka 4

मकराक्षवधः

The Slaying of Makarākṣa

Devanagari script

शक्तिखडगगदाकुन्तैस्तोमरैश्चनिशाचराः ।पट्टसैर्भिण्ढिपालैश्चबाणपातैःसमन्ततः ।।।।पाशमुद्गरदण्डैश्चनिखातैश्चापरेस्तथा ।कदनंकपिसिंहानांचक्रुस्तेरजनीचराः ।।।।

Transliteration

śakti-khaḍga-gadā-kuntais tomaraiś ca niśācarāḥ | paṭṭasair bhiṇḍipālaiś ca bāṇa-pātaiḥ samantataḥ | pāśa-mudgara-daṇḍaiś ca nikhātaiś cāpare tathā | kadanaṁ kapi-siṁhānāṁ cakrus te rajanīcarāḥ ||

Translation

Mit Speeren, Schwertern, Keulen, Lanzen und Spießen – zusammen mit kurzen Klingen, Bhiṇḍipālas, Pfeilhageln, Schlingen, Schlegeln und Stäben – richteten die Nachtwandler unter den löwengleichen Affen auf allen Seiten ein Gemetzel an.

Word by Word

• शक्तिखडगगदाकुन्तैः: with javelins, swords, maces, and spears
• शक्तिखडगगदाकुन्तैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakti + khaḍga + gadā + kunta (प्रातिपदिक-समाहार)
• Form: Dvandva list-compound of weapons; Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• तोमरैः: with lances
• तोमरैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tomara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle

• निशाचराः: Rakshasas
• निशाचराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niśā + cara (प्रातिपदिक-समास)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• पट्टसैः: with small swords/axes
• पट्टसैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paṭṭasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• भिण्डिपालैः: with bhiṇḍipālas (missile weapons)
• भिण्डिपालैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhiṇḍipāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle

• बाणपातैः: with showers of arrows
• बाणपातैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāṇa + pāta (प्रातिपदिक-समास)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (बाणानां पातः), Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• समन्ततः: on all sides
• समन्ततः: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देश-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samantataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable adverb (सर्वतोभावे)

Context

Those prowlers, then ight rangers discharging javelins, swords, maces, spears, lances, small swords, bhindi Palas, shafts, nooses, mallets and staff and other weapons on the lions among the monkeys, caused destruction.

Characters & Entities

• rākṣasas (niśācara/rajanīcara)
• vānaras (kapi-siṁha)

FAQs

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

The verse underscores why dharmic leadership is needed in war: unchecked violence causes widespread suffering, and the righteous side must act to protect allies and restrain tyranny.

What is the narrative situation?

Rākṣasas unleash a barrage of varied weapons, inflicting heavy casualties among the Vānara warriors.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective courage of the Vānara forces is implied—standing firm despite overwhelming weaponry.