Shloka 50

त्रिशिरा-प्रबोधनम् तथा नरान्तक-वधः

Trisira’s Counsel and the Slaying of Naranthaka

Devanagari script

नर्जघ्नुस्संयुगेक्रुद्धाःकवचाभरणावृतान् ।केचिद्रथगतावनीरान्गजवाजिगतानपि ।।।।

Transliteration

nirjaghnus saṃyuge kruddhāḥ kavacābharaṇāvṛtān |

kecid ratha-gatān vīrān gaja-vāji-gatān api ||

Translation

Ivres de colère au cœur de la mêlée, ils abattirent des guerriers revêtus d’armures et d’ornements ; certains renversèrent des héros sur leurs chars, et même ceux montés sur éléphants et chevaux.

Word by Word

• निर्जघ्नुः: slew/struck down
• निर्जघ्नुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-हन् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• संयुगे: in combat
• संयुगे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संयुग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• क्रुद्धाः: enraged
• क्रुद्धाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रुध् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle) used adjectivally, पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• कवच-आभरण-आवृतान्: covered with armor and ornaments
• कवच-आभरण-आवृतान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कवच (प्रातिपदिक) + आभरण (प्रातिपदिक) + आवृत (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from आ-वृ)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (determinative: 'covered with armor and ornaments'), पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण to वीरान्

• केचित्: some
• केचित्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम (indefinite), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• रथ-गतान्: mounted on chariots
• रथ-गतान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक) + गत (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from गम्)
• Form: तत्पुरुष ('gone onto/being on chariots'), पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण to वीरान्

• वीरान्: heroes/warriors
• वीरान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• गज-वाजि-गतान्: mounted on elephants and horses
• गज-वाजि-गतान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गज (प्रातिपदिक) + वाजिन् (प्रातिपदिक) + गत (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from गम्)
• Form: तत्पुरुष ('gone onto elephants and horses'), पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण to वीरान्

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय/अपेक्षाबोधक (particle: 'also/even')

Context

In the combat, the enraged Vanaras killed Rakshasas decked with shields and ornaments. Some killed the ones mounted on chariots, elephants, and horses.

Characters & Entities

• Vanaras (implied subject)
• Rākṣasa warriors (implied object)
• Chariots
• Elephants
• Horses

FAQs

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

Within the epic’s war-frame, Dharma appears as unwavering execution of one’s assigned duty in a just cause—yet it also reminds readers that war’s cost is grave even when fought for righteousness.

What is the narrative situation?

Close-quarters fighting escalates; Vanaras overwhelm even well-equipped and mounted enemy fighters.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Parākrama (martial prowess) and niścaya (determination) against formidable military advantages.