Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 87

कुम्भकर्णवधः

The Slaying of Kumbhakarna

Devanagari script

ततःकराग्रैःसहसासमेत्यराजाहरीणाममरेन्द्रशत्रुम् ।खरैश्चकर्णौदशनैश्चनासांददंशपार्श्वेषु च कुम्भकर्णम् ।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ karāgraiḥ sahasā sametya rājā harīṇām amarendraśatrum |

kharaiś ca karṇau daśanaiś ca nāsāṁ dadaṁśa pārśveṣu ca kumbhakarṇam ||

Translation

Thereupon the Vānara-king sprang into action: with sharp nails he tore at Kumbhakarṇa, the foe of Indra, ripping at his ears; with his teeth he bit off his nose, and he mauled his sides as well.

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-अव्ययम्

• कराग्रैः: with (his) fingertips/nail-tips
• कराग्रैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kara (प्रातिपदिक) + agra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः ‘कराणाम् अग्राणि’ (fingertips/nail-tips)

• सहसा: suddenly
• सहसा: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sahasā (अव्यय)
• Form: रीति-अव्ययम् (suddenly)

• समेत्य: having come near
• समेत्य: Kriya (क्रिया; पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√i (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive) ‘having approached’

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• हरीणाम्: of the monkeys
• हरीणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• अमरेन्द्रशत्रुम्: the enemy of Indra (Kumbhakarna)
• अमरेन्द्रशत्रुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: amara-indra (प्रातिपदिक) + śatru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘अमरेन्द्रस्य शत्रुः’ (enemy of Indra)

• खरैः: with sharp (ones)
• खरैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: khara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम् (कराग्र/नखादीनां) ‘sharp/rough’

• च: and
• च: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्ययम्

• कर्णौ: (his) two ears
• कर्णौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, द्विवचनम्

• दशनैः: with teeth
• दशनैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• च: and
• च: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्ययम्

• नासाम्: (his) nose
• नासाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāsā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• ददंश: bit
• ददंश: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √daṃś (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकारः (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुषः, एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• पार्श्वेषु: on the sides
• पार्श्वेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pārśva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• च: also
• च: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्ययम्

• कुम्भकर्णम्: Kumbhakarna
• कुम्भकर्णम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kumbhakarṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

Context

There after the king of Vanaras decided to act and tore off the ears of the enemy ruler of gods (Kumbhakarna) with his sharp nails, bit off the nose with his teeth, and sides of Kumbhakarna.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Kumbhakarṇa
• Indra (Amarendra)

FAQs

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

Dharma in battle includes defending oneself and the righteous cause; decisive counteraction is justified when one is unlawfully overpowered.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugrīva, seized by Kumbhakarṇa, launches a fierce counterattack, injuring him severely.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bravery and quick initiative under constraint.