Shloka 6.98.5

महोदरवधः (The Slaying of Mahodara)

Devanagari script

जहिशत्रुचमूंवीरदर्शयाद्यपराक्रमम् ।भर्तृपिण्डस्यकालोऽऽयंनिर्देष्टुंसाधुयुध्यताम् ।।6.98.5।।

Transliteration

tatas sa kadanaṃ cakre vānarāṇāṃ mahābalaḥ |

bhartṛvākyena tejasvī svena vīryeṇa coditaḥ ||6.98.7||

Translation

Then the mighty one wrought havoc among the Vānaras—brilliant, urged on by his lord’s command and by his own martial strength.

Context

"O heroic Mahodara! Today, exhibit your valour by destroying the enemy army. Having received my subsistence, this is the time to repay. Fight well in war."

Characters & Entities

• Mahodara
• Vānaras
• Rāvaṇa (implied as lord/master)

FAQs

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

It shows how authority and personal power combine to drive action; Ramayana ethics invites reflection on whether obedience serves dharma or merely amplifies adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

After entering the battlefield, Mahodara begins inflicting heavy damage on the Vānara forces.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Tejas (splendor/energy) and vīrya (valor), expressed as decisive battlefield effectiveness.