Shloka 31

धूम्राक्षवधः

The Slaying of Dhumrākṣa

Devanagari script

विभिन्नशिरसोभूत्वाराक्षसाश्शोणितोक्षिता: ।द्रुमैःप्रमथिताश्चान्येनिपेतुर्धरणीतले ।।6.52.31।।

Transliteration

vibhinnaśiraso bhūtvā rākṣasāḥ śoṇitokṣitāḥ | drumaiḥ pramathitāś cānye nipetur dharaṇītale ||6.52.31||

Translation

Leurs têtes fendues et trempés de sang, ces Rākṣasas, écrasés par des arbres, tombèrent sur la surface de la terre.

Word by Word

विभिन्न-शिरसःwith split heads

भूत्वाhaving become

राक्षसाःrākṣasas

शोणित-उक्षिताःdrenched in blood

द्रुमैःby trees

प्रमथिताःcrushed, struck down

चand

अन्येothers

निपेतुःfell down

धरणी-तलेon the surface of the earth

Context

Some Rakshasas hit by trees with their heads broken, shedding blood fell on the ground.

Characters & Entities

Rākṣasas

Trees (druma)

Earth/ground (dharaṇī)

FAQs

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

A sober reminder of war’s suffering: even when fought for dharma, the outcome includes grievous injury—encouraging restraint and seriousness about violence.

What is the narrative situation?

Rākṣasa warriors struck by tree-weapons are mortally wounded and collapse on the battlefield.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Relentless martial force (ugra-vīrya) on the battlefield—described as an effect of Hanumān’s onslaught.