Shloka 8

अतिकायवधः

The Slaying of Atikāya

Devanagari script

तेतस्यरूपमालोक्ययथाविष्टोस्त्रिविक्रमे ।भयाद्वानरयूधास्तेविद्रवन्तिततस्ततः ।।।।

Transliteration

te tasya rūpam ālokya yathāviṣṭo 's trivikramaḥ | bhayād vānarayūdhās te vidravanti tatas tataḥ ||

Translation

Voyant sa forme, comme s’il était saisi de la puissance de Trivikrama, ces troupes de guerriers Vānara, terrifiées, se dispersèrent et s’enfuirent de tous côtés.

Word by Word

तेthey

तस्यof him

रूपम्form

आलोक्यhaving seen

यथाas

विष्णोःof Viṣṇu

त्रिविक्रमेin (his) Trivikrama form

भयात्from fear

वानरयूधाःtroops of monkeys

तेthey

विद्रवन्तिrun away/flee

ततःfrom there

ततःto there (here and there)

Context

The Vanara troops, observing his form resembling the Trivikram form assumed by Vishnu, the monkey troops fled here and there in panic.

Characters & Entities

Vānara troops

Trivikrama (Viṣṇu)

Atikāya (implied, the one whose form is seen)

FAQs

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

Courage must be cultivated: Dharma in war is not only strength but steadiness; fear disperses collective duty, while disciplined leaders restore order.

What is the narrative situation?

Atikāya’s terrifying, colossal appearance causes sections of the Vānara army to panic and scatter.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast: the need for courage and resolve; the verse foregrounds the army’s momentary lapse.