Shloka 5.47.1

अक्षवधः (The Slaying of Prince Aksha) — Sundarakāṇḍa Sarga 47

Devanagari script

सेनापतीन्पञ्च स तु प्रमापितान् हनूमता सानुचरान्सवाहनान्।समीक्ष्य राजा समरोद्धतोन्मुखं कुमारमक्षं प्रसमैक्षताग्रतः।।5.47.1।।

Transliteration

senāpatīn pañca sa tu pramāpitān hanūmatā sānucarān savāhanān |

samīkṣya rājā samaroddhatonmukhaṁ kumāram akṣaṁ prasamaikṣatāgrataḥ || 5.47.1 ||

Translation

Seeing that five army-generals—together with their followers and vehicles—had been slain by Hanuman, the king fixed his gaze upon Prince Aksha.

Context

Hearing the sad news of death of the five army generals including their followers and destruction of their vehicles, King (Ravana) gave a suggestive look at prince Aksha who was inclined to fight the war.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Rāvaṇa
• Akṣa (Akṣa-kumāra)
• Laṅkā (implied setting)

FAQs

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

Leadership bears responsibility for consequences: the king must respond to loss and protect the realm, yet the larger Ramayana frame implies that adharma-driven leadership (Rāvaṇa’s course) leads to escalating destruction.

What is the narrative situation?

After Hanumān kills key Laṅkā commanders, Rāvaṇa looks toward his son Akṣa as the next champion to confront the intruder.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Martial readiness (kṣātra spirit) in Akṣa, and decisive command in Rāvaṇa—though directed toward an unrighteous cause.