Shloka 5.47.9
अक्षवधः (The Slaying of Prince Aksha) — Sundarakāṇḍa Sarga 47
स तस्य वेगं च कपेर्महात्मनः पराक्रमं चारिषु पार्थिवात्मजः।विचारयन्स्वं च बलं महाबलो हिमक्षये सूर्य इवाभिवर्धते।।5.47.9।।
sa tasya vegaṃ ca kaper mahātmanaḥ parākramaṃ cāriṣu pārthivātmajaḥ |
vicārayan svaṃ ca balaṃ mahābalo himakṣaye sūrya ivābhivardhate ||5.47.9||
That mighty prince, weighing the great-souled ape’s speed and prowess against enemies—and measuring it against his own strength—grew in confidence, like the sun waxing in brilliance when winter ends.
Aksha, the mighty prince judging the speed and prowess of the monkey with his own in confronting enemies and the strength of the monkey, began to swell up in spirit like the glow of the Sun at the end of winter.
A cautionary Dharma note: self-assessment and confidence are necessary, but when detached from truth (satya) and justice, confidence can become pride that leads to ruin.
Before engaging, Akṣa evaluates Hanumān’s capabilities and, comparing them with his own, becomes increasingly bold.
Akṣa’s martial confidence and readiness—though the narrative foreshadows that confidence alone cannot overcome Hanumān’s divinely supported mission.