Shloka 29

राघव-रावणयोः घोर-द्वैरथ-युद्धम्

The Fierce Chariot-Duel of Rama and Ravana

Transliteration

parāyudhyamānau samare mahābalau śitaiḥ śarair rāvaṇa-lakṣmaṇāgrajau |

dhvajāvapātena sa rākṣasādhipo bhṛśaṃ pracukrodha tadā raghūttame ||

Translation

As the mighty Rāvaṇa and Lakṣmaṇa’s elder brother fought with keen arrows, the lord of the Rākṣasas—when his banner-staff fell—blazed with fierce anger against Rāma, foremost of the Raghu line.

Word by Word

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• तथा: thus
• तथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (प्रकारवाचक)

• युध्यमानौ: fighting
• युध्यमानौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yudh (धातु)
• Form: Present middle participle (शानच्), Nominative, Dual, Masculine; ‘fighting’

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

• समरे: in battle
• समरे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th), Singular

• रामरावणौ: Rama and Ravana
• रामरावणौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma + rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व), Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• ददृशुः: saw/observed
• ददृशुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd Person, Plural (बहुवचन), Parasmaipada

• सर्वभूतानि: all beings
• सर्वभूतानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva + bhūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya (विशेषण-विशेष्य: ‘all’ + ‘beings’), Neuter, Accusative, Plural

• विस्मितेन: with astonishment
• विस्मितेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vismita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adjectival use, Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular; qualifies ‘अन्तरात्मना’ (mind being astonished)

• अन्तरात्मना: with their inner mind
• अन्तरात्मना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: antar-ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष: ‘inner’ + ‘self/mind’), Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

Context

While the mighty Ravana and Lakshmana's elder brother were fighting with arrows, the Rakshasa king's flag post had fallen down, and Ravana became extremely angry at Rama for that.।। itayāraṣēvālamīkīyēśarīmadarāmāyaṇēādikāvayēyudadhakāṇaḍēnavōtataraśatatamasasaragaḥ ।।This is the end of one hundred and ninth sarga of Yuddha Kanda of the first epic the holy Ramayana composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Rāvaṇa
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Raghu lineage
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

The fall of pride-symbols (like a banner) tests inner dharma: anger born of wounded ego leads away from righteous judgment.

What is the narrative situation?

During the arrow-fight, Rāvaṇa’s banner-staff falls, and this humiliation triggers intense rage against Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast, the verse highlights the need for humility and self-mastery; Rāvaṇa’s ego-driven anger is foregrounded.