Shloka 6.98.22

महोदरवधः (The Slaying of Mahodara)

Devanagari script

गदांतांसुमहाघोरामापततनींमहाबलः ।सुग्रीवोरोषताम्राक्षस्समुद्यम्यमहाहवे ।।6.98.21।।आजघानगदांतस्यपरिघेणहरीश्वर ।पपात स गदोद्भिन्नःपरिघस्तस्यभूतले ।।6.98.22।।

Transliteration

tato jagrāha tejasvī sugrīvo vasudhā-talāt |

āyasaṁ musalaṁ ghoraṁ sarvato hema-bhūṣitam ||6.98.23||

Translation

Then the radiant Sugrīva picked up from the earth a fearsome iron club, adorned with gold on every side.

Context

In that terrible conflict, seeing the mace broken and falling, mighty Sugriva, whose eyes turned red in anger, lifted up his iron bar, struck at the mace of the Rakshasa. The mace fell on the ground and broke into pieces.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• musala (iron club)
• vasudhā (earth)
• hema (gold)

FAQs

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

Preparedness and perseverance in a righteous cause: when one means is lost, one continues the duty without despair, adapting while staying within the rules of open combat.

What is the narrative situation?

After the mace is broken, Sugrīva immediately re-arms himself by taking up another heavy weapon from the battlefield.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Dhairya (steadfastness) and readiness—Sugrīva remains composed enough to re-engage effectively.