Shloka 6.43.30

द्वन्द्वयुद्धप्रवृत्तिः (Dvandva-Yuddha: The Onset of Single Combats)

Devanagari script

तस्यैवरथचक्रेणनीलोविष्णुरिवाहवे ।शिरश्चिच्छेदसमरेनिकुम्भस्यचसारथेः ।।6.43.30।।

Transliteration

tasyaiva rathacakreṇa nīlo viṣṇur ivāhave | śiraś ciccheda samare nikumbhasya ca sāratheḥ ||6.43.30||

Translation

In the thick of battle, Nīla—like Viṣṇu in war—severed the head of Nikumbha’s charioteer using the very wheel of his chariot.

Context

Like Lord Vishnu, Nila took the wheels of the chariot of Nikumbha and shattered the charioteer into pieces.

Characters & Entities

• Nīla
• Viṣṇu
• Nikumbha
• chariot-wheel
• charioteer

FAQs

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

Dharma here appears as steadfast protection of the righteous cause in war: decisive action against an aggressor’s war-machine (the chariot and its driver) to reduce harm to one’s own side.

What is the narrative situation?

During the Laṅkā war, Nīla engages Nikumbha’s forces and disables the enemy chariot by killing the charioteer with the chariot’s own wheel.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vīrya (heroic prowess) and presence of mind—turning an enemy resource into a weapon with swift, battle-ready decisiveness.