Shloka 29

मकराक्षवधः

The Slaying of Makarākṣa

Devanagari script

तःक्रुद्धोमहाबाहुर्धनुच्शिच्छेदरक्षसः ।अष्टाभिरथनाराचैस्सूतंविव्याधराघवः ।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ kruddho mahābāhur dhanuś ciccheda rakṣasaḥ | aṣṭābhir atha nārācaiḥ sūtaṃ vivyādha rāghavaḥ ||

Translation

Entonces el poderoso Rāghava, encendido de ira, cercenó el arco del rākṣasa; y con ocho flechas de acero hirió también al auriga.

Word by Word

ततःthen

क्रुद्धःenraged

महाबाहुःthe mighty-armed one

धनुःbow

चिच्छेदcut/sundered

रक्षसःof the rakshasa

अष्टाभिःwith eight

अथthen

नाराचैःwith steel arrows

सूतम्charioteer

विव्याधpierced

राघवःRaghava (Rama)

Context

Then broad shouldered Raghava was enraged and split the bow with eight steel arrows and the charioteer also.

Characters & Entities

Rāma (Rāghava)

Rākṣasa (Makarākṣa in immediate context)

Bow (dhanuḥ)

Charioteer (sūta)

Nārāca arrows

FAQs

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

Dharma-yuddha values decisive action that ends harm. By disabling the enemy’s weapon system (bow, chariot support), Rāma moves to conclude the threat efficiently—though the striking of a charioteer also raises classical questions about battlefield codes and necessity.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma turns the tide by cutting the opponent’s bow and also wounding the charioteer with eight arrows.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śaurya (heroic decisiveness) and tactical clarity—neutralizing the enemy’s capacity to fight.