Shloka 5.47.14

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

Devanagari script

ततस्स वीरस्सुमुखान् पतत्रिणस्सुवर्णपुङ्खान्सविषानिवोरगान्।समाधिसम्योगविमोक्षतत्त्वविच्छरानथ त्रीन्कपिमूर्ध्न्यपातयत्।।5.47.14।।

Transliteration

tatas sa vīraḥ sumukhān patatriṇaḥ suvarṇa-puṅkhān sa-viṣān ivoragān |

samādhi-saṁyoga-vimokṣa-tattva-vit śarān atha trīn kapi-mūrdhny apātayat || 5.47.14 ||

Translation

Then the heroic Akṣa—skilled in releasing missiles with concentrated aim—struck the monkey’s head with three well-feathered, golden-shafted arrows, poison-smeared like serpents.

Context

Heroic Aksha, who was good at targeting correctly, with due concentration struck the vanara on his head with three golden-shafted, winged arrows with feathers smeared with poison which resembled serpents.

Characters & Entities

• Akṣa (Akṣa-kumāra)
• Hanumān (Kapi)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights disciplined skill (samādhi) in action; ethically, it raises the tension between prowess and propriety—poisoned weapons signal a harsher mode of warfare often associated with adharma in epic sensibility.

What is the narrative situation?

Akṣa lands a direct hit on Hanumān’s head with three arrows, described as poison-smeared and serpent-like.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Technical mastery and concentration in combat—precision under pressure.