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

दशग्रीवःTen-necked (Ravana)

महातेजाःhighly splendid

राजाking

वैश्रवणानुजःyounger brother of Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera)

भीमकर्माof dreadful deeds

महोत्साहःof great energy/enterprise

रावणःRavana

राक्षसाधिपःlord of the rākṣasas

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.