Shloka 6.54.11

वज्रदंष्ट्रवधः — The Slaying of Vajradaṃṣṭra (Angada’s Duel)

Devanagari script

ततोवानरसैन्येनहन्यमानंनिशाचरम् ।।6.54.11।।प्राभज्यतबलंसर्वंवज्रदंष्ट्रस्यपश्यतः ।

Transliteration

rākṣasān bhayavitrastān hanyamānān plavaṅgamaiḥ ||6.54.12||

dṛṣṭvā sa roṣatāmrākṣo vajradaṃṣṭraḥ pratāpavān |

praviveśa dhanuṣpāṇis trāsayan harivāhinīm ||6.54.13||

Translation

Seeing the rākṣasas—panic-stricken and being cut down by the monkeys—the valiant Vajradaṃṣṭra, his eyes reddened with rage, entered the vānaras’ ranks with bow in hand, terrifying the monkey-host.

Context

Thereafter Rakshasas were killed by Vanaras as Vajradamshtra kept looking at them and the Rakshasas ran from there.

Characters & Entities

• Vajradaṃṣṭra
• rākṣasas
• plavaṅgamas (vānaras/monkeys)
• harivāhinī (monkey host)
• dhanuḥ (bow)

FAQs

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

The verse contrasts duty with rage: a warrior’s intervention to protect his side is a form of kṣātra-dharma, yet being driven by uncontrolled anger is portrayed as a destabilizing force that spreads fear.

What is the narrative situation?

Rākṣasa troops are faltering under vānaras’ attacks; Vajradaṃṣṭra responds by charging into the vānaras with his bow to turn the tide.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Martial boldness and initiative (pratāpa) in Vajradaṃṣṭra, though colored by the flaw of krodha.