Shloka 6.98.23

महोदरवधः (The Slaying of Mahodara)

Devanagari script

ततोजग्राहतेजस्वीसुग्रीवोवसुधातलात् ।आयसंमुसलंघोरंसर्वतोहेमभूषितम् ।।6.98.23।।

Transliteration

sa tam udyamya cikṣepa so 'py anyāṁ vyākṣipad gadām |

bhinnāv anyonyam āsādya petatur dharaṇī-tale ||6.98.24||

Translation

Sugrīva lifted and hurled that club; Mahodara too flung another mace in return. Meeting each other mid-course, both weapons shattered and fell upon the earth.

Context

Then, energetic Sugriva picked from the ground a frightening steel club encrusted with gold on all sides.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Mahodara
• gadā (mace)
• musala (club)
• dharaṇī (earth)

FAQs

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

Even amid violence, the Ramayana frames combat as regulated contest: both act openly and accept reciprocal risk, underscoring fairness within the battlefield code.

What is the narrative situation?

Both sides exchange heavy missiles; the projectiles collide and break, forcing the duel into closer, more bodily combat.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sāhasa (boldness) and parity—neither yields; each answers the other’s move with equal force.