Shloka 48

अतिकायवधः

The Slaying of Atikāya

Devanagari script

पूरयन् स महींशैलानाकाशंसागरंदिशः ।ज्याशब्दोलक्ष्मणस्योग्रस्त्रासयन् रजनीचरान् ।।।।

Transliteration

pūrayan sa mahīṃ śailān ākāśaṃ sāgaraṃ diśaḥ | jyā-śabdo lakṣmaṇasyograḥ trāsayan rajanīcarān || 6.71.48 ||

Translation

Le terrible claquement de la corde de l’arc de Lakṣmaṇa emplit la terre et les montagnes, le ciel et l’océan, et toutes les directions, glaçant d’effroi les rôdeurs de la nuit.

Word by Word

• पूरयन्: filling
• पूरयन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pṝ (धातु)
• Form: Causative (णिच्) pūraya-, Present participle (शतृ), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; agrees with ज्याशब्दः

• सः: that/he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; refers to ज्याशब्दः

• महीं: the earth
• महीं: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular

• शैलान्: mountains
• शैलान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• आकाशम्: sky
• आकाशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ākāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• सागरम्: ocean
• सागरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sāgara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• दिशः: directions
• दिशः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: diś (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Plural (also Nom pl possible; here object of पूरयन्)

• ज्याशब्दः: the twang-sound
• ज्याशब्दः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jyā-śabda (प्रातिपदिक; ज्या + शब्द)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; तत्पुरुष: ज्यायाः शब्दः (sound of bowstring)

• लक्ष्मणस्य: of Lakshmana
• लक्ष्मणस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• उग्रः: terrible
• उग्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ugra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; qualifies ज्याशब्दः

• त्रासयन्: terrifying
• त्रासयन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tras (धातु)
• Form: Causative (णिच्) trāsaya-, Present participle (शतृ), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; agrees with ज्याशब्दः

• रजनीचरान्: night-rangers (rakshasas)
• रजनीचरान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rajanī-cara (प्रातिपदिक; रजनी + चर)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural; तत्पुरुष: रजन्यां चरन्ति ये

Context

The twang of Lakshmana filled the mountains, earth, ocean, and all directions striking terrible fear in the night ranger.

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• Rajanīcara (rākṣasa)
• Mahī (earth)
• Śaila (mountains)
• Ākāśa (sky)
• Sāgara (ocean)
• Diś (directions)

FAQs

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

Dharma can manifest as protective power: the sound symbolizes righteous readiness that deters wrongdoing—strength employed in service of justice rather than intimidation for ego.

What is the narrative situation?

As Lakṣmaṇa draws his bow, its thunderous twang reverberates through the world and frightens the rākṣasas.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Dauntless resolve and protective authority—Lakṣmaṇa’s presence becomes a moral and martial counterforce to rākṣasa aggression.