Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 110, Shloka 3

रामरावणयोर्युद्धवैषम्यं तथा रावणशिरश्छेदनम्

Rama–Ravana Duel Intensifies; Ravana’s Heads Severed and Reappear

Devanagari script

परस्परवधेयुक्तौघोररूपौबभूवतुः ।मण्डलानि च वीधीश्चगतप्रत्यागतानि च ।।।।दर्शयन्तौबहुविधांसूतसामर्थ्यजांगतिम् ।

Transliteration

parasparavadhe yuktau ghorarūpau babhūvatuḥ |

maṇḍalāni ca vīdhīś ca gatapratyāgatāni ca |

darśayantau bahuvidhāṃ sūtasāmarthyajāṃ gatim ||

Translation

Locked in mutual attempts to strike each other down, the two assumed a terrible aspect. They wheeled in circles, advanced and withdrew in turns, displaying many kinds of movement born of a charioteer’s skill.

Word by Word

• अर्धयन्: pressing/overpowering
• अर्धयन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ardh (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Nominative, Singular, Masculine; agrees with ‘रामः’

• रावणम्: Ravana
• रावणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• रामः: Rama
• रामः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• राघवम्: Raghava (Rama)
• राघवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāghava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), ‘also/even’

• रावणः: Ravana
• रावणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• गतिवेगम्: speed of movement
• गतिवेगम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gati + vega (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष: ‘speed of movement’), Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• समापन्नौ: having reached/engaged in
• समापन्नौ: Kriyā (क्रियासमर्थ-विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam + ā + pad (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative, Dual; ‘having attained/arrived at’ (predicate of the two)

• प्रतिवेगप्रवर्तने: in the initiation of counter-speed/retaliation
• प्रतिवेगप्रवर्तने: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prati + vega + pravartana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (समास: ‘counter-speed’ + ‘setting in motion’), Neuter, Locative (7th), Singular

Context

Both striking one another diligently, going in circles moving forward and backward displaying feats, went on.

FAQs

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

The verse highlights disciplined conduct in battle (yuddha-nīti): even in lethal conflict, skill, control, and steadiness govern action rather than reckless violence.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma and Rāvaṇa continue their chariot-duel, circling and exchanging advances and retreats with expert manoeuvres.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Martial discipline and mastery—controlled courage expressed through trained technique rather than impulsive aggression.