Shloka 6.97.28

सप्तनवतितमः सर्गः (Yuddha Kāṇḍa 97): Sugrīva’s Onslaught and the Fall of Virūpākṣa

Devanagari script

तलप्रहारंतद्रक्षस्सुग्रीवेणसमुद्यतम् ।नैपुण्यान्मोचयित्वैनंमुष्टिनोरस्यताडयत् ।।।।

Transliteration

talaprahāraṃ tad rakṣaḥ sugrīveṇa samudyatam | naipuṇyān mocayitvainaṃ muṣṭinorasy atāḍayat ||

Translation

That Rākṣasa, as Sugrīva raised his palm-strike, slipped free of it with skill and then struck him on the chest with a clenched fist.

Context

Virupaksha, escaping the slap of Sugriva with great skill, hit him (Sugriva) on the chest with his fist.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Virūpākṣa
• Rākṣasa

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that power must be joined with discernment: in dharma-guided action, skill and alertness shape outcomes, not brute force alone.

What is the narrative situation?

Virūpākṣa evades Sugrīva’s palm-blow and counters with a punch to the chest.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

For Sugrīva: persistence; for Virūpākṣa: tactical skill (naipuṇya), though used in an adharmic cause.