Shloka 49

अतिकायवधः

The Slaying of Atikāya

Devanagari script

सौमित्रेश्चापनिर्घोषंश्रुत्वाप्रतिभयंतदा ।विसिष्मियेमहातेजाराक्षसेन्द्रात्मजोबली ।।।।

Transliteration

saumitreś cāpanirghoṣaṃ śrutvā pratibhayaṃ tadā | visiṣmiye mahātejā rākṣasendrātmajo balī ||

Translation

Entonces el poderoso y resplandeciente hijo del rey de los Rākṣasas, al oír el atronador tañido del arco de Saumitri, quedó sobrecogido de temor y se maravilló.

Word by Word

सौमित्रेःof Saumitr(i)

चापनिर्घोषम्the bow’s roar

श्रुत्वाhaving heard

प्रतिभयम्in counter-fear / with fear

तदाthen

विसिष्मियेwas astonished

महातेजाःmighty/very radiant

राक्षसेन्द्रात्मजःson of the rakshasa-king

बलीstrong

Context

Adorned with crown, and polished earrings, twanging his bow, proclaimed his name and roared sounding aloud.

Characters & Entities

Lakṣmaṇa (Saumitri)

Atikāya (rākṣasendrātmajaḥ, implied)

bow

FAQs

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

Dharma-aligned courage can steady others and unsettle arrogance; the verse shows how disciplined strength, used in rightful battle, can reverse fear onto the aggressor.

What is the narrative situation?

Atikāya, previously projecting dominance, hears Lakṣmaṇa’s bow-sound and momentarily becomes fearful and amazed.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Lakṣmaṇa’s resolute valor and readiness in righteous combat; his presence alone becomes a moral and psychological force.