Shloka 9

राघव-रावणयोः घोर-द्वैरथ-युद्धम्

The Fierce Chariot-Duel of Rama and Ravana

Devanagari script

तेशरास्तमनासाद्यपुरन्दररथध्वजम् ।रथशक्तिंपरामृश्यनिपेतुर्धरणीतले ।।6.109.9।।

Transliteration

te śarās tam anāsādya purandara-ratha-dhvajam | ratha-śaktiṁ parāmṛśya nipetur dharaṇī-tale ||6.109.9||

Translation

Those arrows, failing to reach that standard likened to Indra’s chariot-banner, merely grazed the chariot’s frame and fell upon the ground.

Word by Word

• ते: those
• ते: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; (शराः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)

• शराः: arrows
• शराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• तम्: that (one)
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/2nd), एकवचन; (पुरन्दररथध्वजम् इत्यस्य सर्वनाम-प्रतिनिधि)

• अनासाद्य: without reaching
• अनासाद्य: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + सद् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (gerund) with negation prefix अन्-, ‘without reaching’

• पुरन्दर-रथ-ध्वजम्: the standard of Purandara’s (Indra’s) chariot
• पुरन्दर-रथ-ध्वजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरन्दर (प्रातिपदिक) + रथ (प्रातिपदिक) + ध्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (‘पुरन्दरस्य रथध्वजः’)

• रथ-शक्तिम्: the chariot-pole/shaft
• रथ-शक्तिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक) + शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (‘रथस्य शक्ति’ = chariot’s pole/shaft)

• परामृश्य: touching
• परामृश्य: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि + मृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (gerund), ‘having touched’

• निपेतुः: fell down
• निपेतुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + पत् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• धरणी-तले: on the surface of the earth
• धरणी-तले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धरणी (प्रातिपदिक) + तल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (‘धरण्याः तलम्’)

Context

Those arrows, without reaching the post on Indra's chariot, touching the chariot fell on ground.

Characters & Entities

• Indra (Purandara)
• Rāma (implied by his chariot)
• Rāvaṇa (implied as shooter)

FAQs

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

Dharma is portrayed as protective order: hostile intent does not automatically succeed; the narrative suggests a moral universe where righteous cause is not easily shaken.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa’s volley misses the intended banner/standard and falls harmlessly after only brushing the chariot.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s implied inviolability/steadfast position in battle, reinforced through the Indra-like standard comparison.