Shloka 6.98.38

महोदरवधः (The Slaying of Mahodara)

Devanagari script

जहिशत्रुचमूं वीर दर्शयाद्य पराक्रमम् ।

भर्तृपिण्डस्य कालोऽयं निर्देष्टुं साधु युध्यताम् ॥6.98.5॥

Transliteration

jahi śatrucamūṃ vīra darśayādya parākramam |

bhartṛpiṇḍasya kālo 'yaṃ nirdeṣṭuṃ sādhu yudhyatām ||6.98.5||

Translation

“Destroy the enemy host, O hero, and show your prowess today. This is the time to repay the sustenance received from your lord—therefore, fight well!”

Context

Thereafter, Suras, Siddhas, Yakshas of heaven and all beings on the land, great selves who were gazing at the battle felt highly delighted seeing the victory of the Vanara king in the forefront of the battlefield.।। itayāraṣēvālamīkīyēśarīmadarāmāyaṇēādikāvayēyudadhakāḍēaṣaṭānavatitamaḥsaragaḥ ।।This is the end of the ninety eighth sarga of Yuddha Kanda of the first epic the holy Ramayana composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Mahodara
• Vānara army (implied as enemy host)

FAQs

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

It frames duty as repayment of support received from one’s ruler—an ideal of service and obligation. In Ramayana ethics, this is weighed against the higher dharma of serving righteousness, not merely power.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa urges Mahodara to enter battle decisively and break the opposing forces, presenting it as a moment of obligation and honor.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Parākrama (heroic prowess) and loyalty-in-action—fighting effectively when commanded.