Shloka 6.98.20

महोदरवधः (The Slaying of Mahodara)

Devanagari script

ततःक्रुद्धोगदांतस्यैचिक्षेपरजनीचरः ।ज्वलतनींभास्कराभासांसुग्रीवायमहोदरः ।।6.98.20।।

Transliteration

tataḥ kruddho gadāṁ tasmai cikṣepa rajanīcaraḥ |

jvalantīṁ bhāskarābhāsāṁ sugrīvāya mahodaraḥ ||6.98.20||

Translation

Then Mahodara, the night-ranging rākṣasa, enraged, hurled a blazing mace—sun-bright—toward Sugrīva.

Context

Then provoked by anger, the night ranger, Mahodara flung his mace at Sugriva which shone like the Sun.

Characters & Entities

• Mahodara
• Sugrīva
• gadā (mace)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights how anger fuels violence; dhārmic conduct demands that strength be governed by right intention rather than krodha.

What is the narrative situation?

Mahodara initiates a decisive strike by throwing his mace at Sugrīva, escalating the duel from approach to direct assault.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

For Mahodara, martial ferocity is foregrounded; the moral contrast implied is the need for disciplined courage rather than rage-driven aggression.