Shloka 6.97.31

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

Devanagari script

महेन्द्राशनिकल्पेनतलेनाभिहतःक्षितौ ।।।।पपातरुधिरक्लिन्नश्शोणितंसमुद्यमन् ।स्रोतोभ्यस्तुविरूपाक्षोजलंप्रस्रवणादिव ।।।।

Transliteration

mahendrāśanikalpena talenābhihataḥ kṣitau | papāta rudhiraklinnaḥ śoṇitaṃ samudyaman | srotobhyas tu virūpākṣo jalaṃ prasravaṇād iva ||

Translation

Smitten to the ground by that palm, like Indra’s thunderbolt, Virūpākṣa fell—soaked in blood and spewing blood; from his body blood streamed forth like water from a waterfall.

Context

Hurt by the palm which resembled Indra's weapon, blood started flowing from Virupaksha's body just like water flowed from waterfalls. Bathed in blood, vomiting blood, Virupaksha fell on the ground.

Characters & Entities

• Virūpākṣa
• Sugrīva
• Mahendra (Indra)
• Aśani (thunderbolt)
• Prasravaṇa (waterfall/spring imagery)

FAQs

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

Adharma culminates in ruin: the imagery of collapse and blood-flow underscores the grave consequence of violent wrongdoing and the decisive end of unjust aggression.

What is the narrative situation?

After Sugrīva’s crushing palm-blow, Virūpākṣa is thrown down, bleeding profusely and collapsing on the battlefield.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sugrīva’s protective valor in a just alliance (supporting Rāma’s cause), paired with the epic’s reminder of war’s terrible cost.