Valmiki Ramayana 6.71.27 — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 71, Shloka 27

अतिकायवधः

The Slaying of Atikāya

Devanagari script

दशग्रीवोमहातेजाराजावैश्रवणानुजः ।भीमकर्मामहोत्साहोरावणोराक्षसाधिपः ।।।।

Transliteration

daśagrīvo mahātejā rājā vaiśravaṇānujaḥ | bhīmakarmā mahotsāho rāvaṇo rākṣasādhipaḥ ||

Translation

Rāvaṇa—de diez cuellos, de gran esplendor—es el rey, hermano menor de Vaiśravaṇa; de actos terribles y de inmenso arrojo, es el señor de los Rākṣasas.

Word by Word

• दशग्रीवः: Ten-necked (Ravana)
• दशग्रीवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daśa + grīva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (one who has ten necks/heads)

• महातेजाः: highly splendid
• महातेजाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• राजा: king
• राजा: Samānādhikaraṇa (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वैश्रवणानुजः: younger brother of Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera)
• वैश्रवणानुजः: Samānādhikaraṇa (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaiśravaṇa + anuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (younger brother of Vaiśravaṇa)

• भीमकर्मा: of dreadful deeds
• भीमकर्मा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhīma + karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• महोत्साहः: of great energy/enterprise
• महोत्साहः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + utsāha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• रावणः: Ravana
• रावणः: Samānādhikaraṇa (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• राक्षसाधिपः: lord of the rākṣasas
• राक्षसाधिपः: Samānādhikaraṇa (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa + adhipa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Context

"The ten-headed and highly brilliant king Ravana, who is the brother of Vysravana, is of terrible deeds and highly exploitative."

Characters & Entities

• Ravana
• Vaishravana (Kubera)
• Rakshasas

FAQs

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

The verse frames the adversary’s power and position, setting up Dharma’s demand that might and kingship be restrained by righteousness—otherwise they become instruments of terror.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhishana identifies Ravana, describing his stature, lineage (as Kubera’s younger brother), and fearful nature.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

For Vibhishana: truthful reporting; for Ravana: energy and capability are acknowledged, though morally misdirected in the epic’s larger frame.