Shloka 4

Mahāpārśva-vadhaḥ — The Slaying of Mahāpārśva

Angada’s Counterstrike

Devanagari script

तेऽर्दिताबाणवर्षेणमहापार्श्वेनवानराः ।।।।विषादविमुखाःसर्वेबभूवुर्गतचेतसः ।

Transliteration

te 'rditā bāṇavarṣeṇa mahāpārśvena vānarāḥ | viṣādavimukhāḥ sarve babhūvur gatacetasaḥ ||

Translation

Niedergestreckt von Mahāpārśvas Pfeilregen, wurden all jene Vānaras mutlos, ihr Geist erschüttert und ihr Verstand verloren.

Word by Word

• ते: they/those
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; pronoun

• अर्दिताः: afflicted/struck
• अर्दिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्द् (धातु) + अर्दित (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative, Plural; agreeing with वानराः

• बाणवर्षेण: by a shower of arrows
• बाणवर्षेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाणवर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; तत्पुरुष: बाणानां वर्षः (rain of arrows)

• महापार्श्वेन: by Mahāpārśva
• महापार्श्वेन: Kartr-karana (कर्तृ-करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महापार्श्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; agent in passive sense

• वानराः: monkeys
• वानराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वानर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• विषादविमुखाः: downcast/turned away in despair
• विषादविमुखाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विषाद-विमुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; तत्पुरुष: विषादात् विमुख (turned away due to despair)

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; agreeing with वानराः

• बभूवुः: became/were
• बभूवुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Plural, Parasmaipada

• गतचेतसः: out of their senses
• गतचेतसः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गत-चेतस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; तत्पुरुष: गतं चेतः येषाम् (whose senses/minds were gone)

Context

Angada who knew the vital parts, pierced into the middle of the breasts of the Rakshasa into the heart by his fist which was equal to Indra's thunderbolt.

Characters & Entities

• Mahāpārśva
• Vānaras

FAQs

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

Dharma includes steadiness under adversity. The verse shows how fear and despair can overtake even the righteous side, implying the need for dhṛti (fortitude) and trust in rightful leadership.

What is the narrative situation?

The vānaras are overwhelmed by Mahāpārśva’s assault and momentarily lose morale.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The coming need for courage and resilience—virtues that will be embodied by Angada as he responds.