Shloka 21
महोदरवधः
The Slaying of Mahodara
गदांतांसुमहाघोरामापततनींमहाबलः ।सुग्रीवोरोषताम्राक्षस्समुद्यम्यमहाहवे ।।6.98.21।।आजघानगदांतस्यपरिघेणहरीश्वर ।पपात स गदोद्भिन्नःपरिघस्तस्यभूतले ।।6.98.22।।
gadāṁ tāṁ su-mahā-ghorām āpatantīṁ mahā-balaḥ |
sugrīvo roṣa-tāmrākṣaḥ samudyamya mahāhave ||6.98.21||
ājaghāna gadāṁ tasya parigheṇa harīśvaraḥ |
papāta sa gadodbhinnaḥ parighas tasya bhūtale ||6.98.22||
In jenem schrecklichen Zusammenprall erhob der mächtige Sugrīva—die Augen vor Zorn gerötet—seine eiserne Stange und schlug die heranstürmende Keule Mahodaras. Vom Schlag zersplittert, fiel die Keule zu Boden.
In that terrible conflict, seeing the mace broken and falling, mighty Sugriva, whose eyes turned red in anger, lifted up his iron bar, struck at the mace of the Rakshasa. The mace fell on the ground and broke into pieces.
FAQs
Dharma in righteous warfare includes skill and measured response: Sugrīva meets force with force in open combat, protecting his side without treachery.
Mahodara’s thrown/charging mace is intercepted; Sugrīva counters with an iron bar, breaking the weapon and shifting momentum in the duel.
Sugrīva’s śaurya (heroic prowess) and presence of mind in battle—he times a defensive strike that neutralizes a lethal attack.