Shloka 6.70.61

त्रिशिरा–देवान्तक–महोदर–मत्त (महापार्श्व) वधः | Slaying of Trisira, Devantaka, Mahodara, and Matta (Mahaparsva)

Devanagari script

मुहूर्तमासीत्सगतासुकल्पःप्रत्यागतात्मासहसासुरारिः ।उत्पत्यसन्ध्याभ्रसमानवर्णस्तंवारिराजात्मजमाजघान ।।।।

Transliteration

muhūrtam āsīt sa gatāsukalpaḥ pratyāgatātmā sahasā surāriḥ |

utpatya sandhyābhrasamānavarṇas taṃ vārirājātmajam ājaghāna ||

Translation

For a brief moment the enemy of the gods lay as though life had left him; then, suddenly recovering himself—his hue like the clouds at twilight—he sprang up and struck the son of the Lord of Waters (Ṛṣabha).

Context

For a short while, Mahaparsva, the enemy of gods remained as if life had gone off up and struck the son of waters (Rshaba).

Characters & Entities

• surāri (Rākṣasa enemy of the gods; contextually Mahāpārśva)
• vārirāja (Varuṇa, Lord of Waters)
• Ṛṣabha (vārirājātmaja, a monkey warrior)

FAQs

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

Steadfastness in one’s appointed duty during crisis: even after being stunned, the combatant resumes action—illustrating perseverance (dhṛti) as part of warrior-duty, though framed within the larger adharma–dharma conflict of Laṅkā.

What is the narrative situation?

A Rākṣasa leader, briefly appearing lifeless, regains consciousness and retaliates by striking Ṛṣabha, the warrior identified as Varuṇa’s son.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Resilience and sudden recovery under pressure (śaurya with dhairya), showing how quickly fortunes shift in battle.