Shloka 2.78.16

अष्टसप्ततितमः सर्गः — Śatrughna’s Fury and Bharata’s Restraint (Mantharā Episode)

Devanagari script

स च रोषेण ताम्राक्ष श्शत्रुघ्न श्शत्रुतापनः।विचकर्ष तदा कुब्जां क्रोशन्तीं धरणीतले।।।।

Transliteration

sa ca roṣeṇa tāmrākṣaḥ śatrughnaḥ śatrutāpanaḥ | vicakarṣa tadā kubjāṃ krośantīṃ dharaṇītale ||

Translation

Then Śatrughna—the scorcher of foes—his eyes reddened with wrath, dragged the shrieking hunchback along the ground.

Context

With bloodshot eyes Satrughna, the scorcher of enemies, dragged the shrieking hunchback down the ground in fury.

Characters & Entities

• Śatrughna
• Mantharā (kubjā)

FAQs

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

The scene dramatizes how anger can overpower dharmic restraint; the implied lesson is that even justified indignation must be governed by self-control and proportionality.

What is the narrative situation?

Śatrughna physically assaults Mantharā by dragging her as she screams, escalating the palace conflict.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śatrughna’s valor and intensity (śatrutāpana), though here it manifests as wrath rather than disciplined protection.