Shloka 22
अक्षवधः (The Slaying of Prince Aksha)
Sundarakāṇḍa Sarga 47
समुत्पतन्तं समभिद्रवद्बली स राक्षसानां प्रवरः प्रतापवान्।रथी रथिश्रेष्ठतमः किरन्शरैः पयोधरश्शैलमिवाश्मवृष्टिभिः।।5.47.22।।
samutpatantaṃ samabhidravad balī sa rākṣasānāṃ pravaraḥ pratāpavān | rathī rathi-śreṣṭhatamaḥ kiran śaraiḥ payodharaḥ śailam ivāśma-vṛṣṭibhiḥ ||5.47.22||
Cuando Hanumān se elevaba, aquel poderoso y célebre caudillo entre los Rākṣasas—el más excelso de los guerreros de carro—se lanzó tras él, rociándolo de flechas como una nube que azota una montaña con granizo.
FAQs
The verse presents steadfastness in one’s chosen duty (for Akṣa, the warrior’s role). In Ramayana ethics, such steadfast valor is admirable as a quality, though its moral worth depends on the justice of the cause it serves.
Hanumān leaps into the air; Akṣa pursues aggressively from his chariot, continuing an intense arrow-attack.
Persistence and martial competence—Akṣa keeps pressure on a superior opponent without hesitation.