Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 69, Shloka 28

त्रिशिरा-प्रबोधनम् तथा नरान्तक-वधः

Trisira’s Counsel and the Slaying of Naranthaka

Devanagari script

स रराजरथेतस्मिन् राजसूनुर्महाबलः ।वृतोनैरृतशार्दूलैर्वज्रपाणिरिवामरैः ।।।।

Transliteration

sa rarāja rathe tasmin rājasūnur mahābalaḥ |

vṛto nairṛtaśārdūlair vajrapāṇir ivāmaraiḥ ||

Translation

There, upon that chariot, the mighty prince shone forth, surrounded by tiger-like rākṣasa warriors—like Indra, bearer of the thunderbolt, amid the gods.

Word by Word

• सः: he
• सः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• रराज: shone
• रराज: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: राज् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• रथे: in the chariot
• रथे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative, 7th), एकवचन

• तस्मिन्: in that
• तस्मिन्: अधिकरण (Location determiner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; निर्देश (deictic)

• राजसूनुः: the king's son/prince
• राजसूनुः: कर्ता-सम्बन्ध (Apposition to subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज-सूनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: राज्ञः सूनुः; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सः इत्यस्य अपपद (apposition)

• महाबलः: mighty/very strong
• महाबलः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा-बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय: महत् बलम् यस्य; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तृ-विशेषण

• वृतः: surrounded
• वृतः: कर्ता-विशेषण (State of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (past passive participle from वृ/वृञ् 'to cover/surround'): वृत; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• नैरृतशार्दूलैः: by the tiger-like Rakshasas
• नैरृतशार्दूलैः: करण (Agent/instrument of surrounding)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नैरृत-शार्दूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: नैरृतानां शार्दूलाः (tigers among Rakshasas); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• वज्रपाणिः: Indra (thunderbolt-wielder)
• वज्रपाणिः: उपमान (Standard of comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्र-पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: वज्रः पाणौ यस्य (one with thunderbolt in hand); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपमान

• इव: like
• इव: उपमा-सूचक (Comparator)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक-अव्यय

• अमरैः: by the gods
• अमरैः: करण (Instrument/companions)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

Context

The tiger among ogres (Atikaya) surrounded by the great army of ogres, the prince was shining in the chariot like Indra, the king of gods and wielder of thunderbolt.

Characters & Entities

• Indra (Vajrapāṇi)
• Amaras (gods)
• Rākṣasas (nairṛtas)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the dharmic ideal of leadership and martial responsibility: a commander is expected to stand visibly composed and radiant amid his forces, inspiring steadiness and resolve.

What is the narrative situation?

A rākṣasa prince is described as resplendent in his chariot, surrounded by fierce rākṣasa warriors, as the battle forces assemble.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Tejas (radiant presence) and vīrya (martial prowess) expressed through the ability to lead and command attention in the midst of armed followers.