Shloka 25

रामरावणयोर्युद्धवैषम्यं तथा रावणशिरश्छेदनम्

Rama–Ravana Duel Intensifies; Ravana’s Heads Severed and Reappear

Devanagari script

ततःक्रोधान्महाबासूरघूणांकीर्तिवर्धनः ।सन्धायधनुषारामश्शरमाशीविषोपमम् ।।।।रावणस्यशिरोऽच्छिन्दच्छ्रीमज्ज्वलितकुण्डलम् ।तछचिरःपतितंभूमौदृष्टंइलोकैस्त्रिभिस्तदा ।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ krodhān mahābāhu raghuṇāṃ kīrtivardhanaḥ | sandhāya dhanuṣā rāmaḥ śaram āśīviṣopamam ||

rāvaṇasya śiro 'cchindac chrīmajjvalita-kuṇḍalam | tac chiraḥ patitaṃ bhūmau dṛṣṭaṃ tribhir lokais tadā ||

Translation

Alors Rama, aux bras puissants, gloire de la lignée de Raghu, enflammé de colère, ajusta à son arc une flèche pareille à un serpent venimeux et trancha la tête de Ravana, ornée de boucles d'oreilles flamboyantes.

Word by Word

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverb); अर्थे: अनन्तरम् (thereafter)

• क्रोधात्: from anger; in wrath
• क्रोधात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: krodha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान), एकवचन; 'from/owing to anger'

• महाबाहुः: mighty-armed
• महाबाहुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + bāhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (epithet)

• रघूणाम्: of the Raghu dynasty
• रघूणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raghu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन; 'of the Raghus'

• कीर्तिवर्धनः: enhancer of glory
• कीर्तिवर्धनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kīrti + vardhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'कीर्तेः वर्धनः' (enhancer of fame)

• सन्धाय: having aimed/fixed
• सन्धाय: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√dhā (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive); 'having fixed/aimed/strung'

• धनुषा: with (his) bow
• धनुषा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanus (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; 'with the bow'

• रामः: Rama
• रामः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शरम्: an arrow
• शरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• आशीविषोपमम्: like a venomous snake
• आशीविषोपमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āśīviṣa + upama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपमान-तत्पुरुषः: 'आशीविषस्य उपमः' (like a venomous serpent); शरम् इति विशेषणम्

Context

Then the mighty armed Raghava, enhancer of glory, in wrath like a venomous snake, fitting the bow with arrows cut off the head of Ravana graced with shining earrings. Then the three worlds witnessed the head cut off and fallen on the earth surface.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Rāvaṇa
• Raghu lineage
• Bow (dhanuḥ)
• Arrow (śara)
• Kuṇḍala (earrings)
• Three worlds (trailokya)
• Earth (bhūmi)

FAQs

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

The verse frames punishment of adharma as a world-significant act: the fall of a tyrant is not private revenge but a restoration of moral order witnessed by all realms.

What is the narrative situation?

In the duel, Rāma releases a deadly arrow and cuts off one of Rāvaṇa’s heads, which falls to the ground as the worlds look on.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s decisive courage and commitment to justice—acting as the protector of Dharma even in the most fearsome moment.