Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 137

कुम्भकर्णवधः

The Slaying of Kumbhakarna

Devanagari script

स चापमादायभुजङ्गकल्पंधृढज्यमुग्रंतपनीयचित्रम् ।हरीन् समाश्वास्यसमुत्पपातरामोनिबद्धोत्तमतूणबाणः ।।।।

Transliteration

sa cāpam ādāya bhujaṅgakalpaṁ dhṛḍhajyam ugraṁ tapanīyacitram | harīn samāśvāsya samutpapāta rāmo nibaddhottamatūṇabāṇaḥ ||

Translation

Taking up his bow—serpent-like in form, tightly strung, fierce, and radiant with golden sheen—Rāma reassured the Vānaras and sprang forward, his quiver fastened and filled with excellent arrows.

Word by Word

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• vānaragaṇaiḥ: by the troops of vanaras
• vānaragaṇaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara (प्रातिपदिक) + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: vānarāṇāṃ gaṇaḥ); पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• taiḥ: by those
• taiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम् (vānaragaṇaiḥ)

• tu: indeed/and
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (contrast/continuation)

• vṛtaḥ: surrounded
• vṛtaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √vṛ (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (PPP: surrounded); पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (saḥ/rāmaḥ)

• parama-durjayaḥ: most difficult to conquer
• parama-durjayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + durjaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समासः (paramaḥ durjayaḥ); पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• lakṣmaṇa-anucaraḥ: attended by Lakshmana
• lakṣmaṇa-anucaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + anucara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: lakṣmaṇasya anucaraḥ); पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (rāmaḥ)

• rāmaḥ: Rama
• rāmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• sampratasthē: set out/advanced
• sampratasthē: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-pra + √sthā (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकारः (Perfect), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथम-पुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• mahābalaḥ: mighty/strong-armed
• mahābalaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समासः (yasya balaṃ mahāt); पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (rāmaḥ)

Context

Rama, taking a formidable bow which resembled a great serpent, with a quiver full of excellent arrows shining in gold that looked beautiful, went forward restoring the confidence of the monkeys.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Vanaras
• Bow (cāpa)
• Quiver (tūṇa)
• Arrows (bāṇa)

FAQs

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

Dharma is protective action joined with compassion: Rama advances to fight, but first steadies and reassures those overwhelmed by fear.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama arms himself and moves to confront the powerful enemy, while restoring the confidence of the Vanara forces.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Compassionate valor—strength used in service of truth and protection, not for rage or display.