Shloka 49

अतिकायवधः

The Slaying of Atikāya

Devanagari script

सौमित्रेश्चापनिर्घोषंश्रुत्वाप्रतिभयंतदा ।विसिष्मियेमहातेजाराक्षसेन्द्रात्मजोबली ।।।।

Transliteration

saumitreś cāpanirghoṣaṃ śrutvā pratibhayaṃ tadā | visiṣmiye mahātejā rākṣasendrātmajo balī ||

Translation

Alors le vaillant fils, plein d’éclat, du roi des Rākṣasas, entendant le fracas redoutable de l’arc de Saumitri, fut saisi de crainte et demeura stupéfait.

Word by Word

सौमित्रेःof Saumitr(i)

चापनिर्घोषम्the bow’s roar

श्रुत्वाhaving heard

प्रतिभयम्in counter-fear / with fear

तदाthen

विसिष्मियेwas astonished

महातेजाःmighty/very radiant

राक्षसेन्द्रात्मजःson of the rakshasa-king

बलीstrong

Context

Adorned with crown, and polished earrings, twanging his bow, proclaimed his name and roared sounding aloud.

Characters & Entities

Lakṣmaṇa (Saumitri)

Atikāya (rākṣasendrātmajaḥ, implied)

bow

FAQs

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

Dharma-aligned courage can steady others and unsettle arrogance; the verse shows how disciplined strength, used in rightful battle, can reverse fear onto the aggressor.

What is the narrative situation?

Atikāya, previously projecting dominance, hears Lakṣmaṇa’s bow-sound and momentarily becomes fearful and amazed.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Lakṣmaṇa’s resolute valor and readiness in righteous combat; his presence alone becomes a moral and psychological force.