Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 77, Shloka 8
निकुम्भवधः — The Slaying of Nikumbha
Hanuman’s Duel
नगर्याविटपावत्यागन्धर्वभवनोत्तमैः ।सतारग्रहनक्षत्रंसचन्द्रंसमहाग्रहम् ।।।।निकुम्भपरिघाघूर्णंभ्रमतीवनभस्थ्सलम् ।
nagaryā viṭapāvatyā gandharva-bhavanottamaiḥ | sa-tārā-graha-nakṣatraṃ sa-candraṃ sa-mahā-graham | nikumbha-parighā-ghūrṇaṃ bhramatīva nabhaḥ-sthalam ||
The sky—adorned as though it held the city of Viṭapavatī with splendid Gandharva mansions, and filled with stars, constellations, the moon, and the great planets—seemed to whirl, as if spun by Nikumbha’s revolving iron club.
The heaven with the city of Vitapavati, including the excellent abodes of Gandharvas, the hosts of stars and mansions, the lunar abodes along with other planet abodes revolved round as though it was caused by the spinning of Nikumbha's club.
FAQs
The verse frames adharma-driven violence as destabilizing: Nikumbha’s destructive force is so excessive that it is likened to making even the heavens reel. Dharma here is implied by contrast—righteous power upholds order, while unrighteous aggression appears as cosmic disorder.
In the battle of Laṅkā, Nikumbha’s might is being depicted with hyperbolic, cosmic-scale imagery, emphasizing the terror and intensity of the combat.
Not a virtue but a trait: Nikumbha’s overwhelming martial prowess (bala/ugratā) is highlighted, serving as a narrative foil against the dharmic steadiness of Rāma’s side.