Shloka 154
कुम्भकर्णवधः
The Slaying of Kumbhakarna
यैस्सायकैस्सालवरानिकृत्तावालीहतोवानरपुङ्गवश्च ।तेकुम्भकर्णस्यतदाशरीरंवज्रोपमं न व्यधयांप्रचक्रुः ।।।।
yaiḥ sāyakaiḥ sālavarān nikṛttā vālī hato vānarapuṅgavaś ca | te kumbhakarṇasya tadā śarīraṃ vajropamaṃ na vyadhayāṃ pracakruḥ ||
Aquellas mismas flechas con las que fueron abatidos los robustos árboles sāla y con las que cayó Vālī, el más excelso de los vānara—esas saetas, semejantes al rayo, entonces no lograron perforar el cuerpo de Kumbhakarṇa, duro como un vajra.
Those arrows which had cut down the Sala trees and the Vanara leader, Vali, which were like thunderbolts, did not affect Kumbhakarna's body.
FAQs
The verse teaches discernment: past success does not guarantee present outcomes. Dharma in action requires adapting wisely while remaining committed to the righteous goal.
The narration recalls Rāma’s earlier feats with the same arrows, yet emphasizes that Kumbhakarṇa’s body proves unusually resistant.
Rāma’s proven capability is acknowledged, while the immediate virtue called for is strategic patience and resolve.