Shloka 6

मकराक्षवधः

The Slaying of Makarākṣa

Devanagari script

बाणौघैरर्दिताश्चापिखरपुत्रेणवानराः ।सम्भ्रान्तमनसस्सर्वेदुद्रुवुर्भयपीडिताः ।।।।

Transliteration

bāṇaughair arditāś cāpi kharaputreṇa vānarāḥ | sambhrāntamanasaḥ sarve dudruvur bhayapīḍitāḥ ||

Translation

Accablés par des volées de flèches lancées par le fils de Khara, tous les vānaras, l’esprit bouleversé, s’enfuirent, pressés par la peur.

Word by Word

• बाणौघैः: by volleys of arrows
• बाणौघैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāṇa + ogha (प्रातिपदिक-समास)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (बाणानाम् ओघः), Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• अर्दिताः: struck/afflicted
• अर्दिताः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ard (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative, Plural; agrees with वानराः

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (अपि = also/even)

• खरपुत्रेण: by Khara's son
• खरपुत्रेण: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khara + putra (प्रातिपदिक-समास)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (खरस्य पुत्रः), Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• वानराः: Vanaras
• वानराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• सम्भ्रान्तमनसः: with perturbed minds
• सम्भ्रान्तमनसः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sambhrānta + manas (प्रातिपदिक-समास)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi ('whose minds are agitated'); Masculine, Nominative, Plural; agrees with वानराः

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; agrees with वानराः

• दुद्रुवुः: ran away
• दुद्रुवुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dru (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Plural, Parasmaipada

• भयपीडिताः: tormented by fear
• भयपीडिताः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhaya + pīḍita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (भयेन पीडित), PPP from pīḍ (धातु); Masculine, Nominative, Plural; agrees with वानराः

Context

Vanaras perturbed terribly by the volley of arrows of Khara's son were stricken with fear and ran.

Characters & Entities

• Vānaras

FAQs

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

Dharma here is tested as steadiness in adversity; panic and flight show how fear can overwhelm even allies, highlighting the need for disciplined courage in righteous struggle.

What is the narrative situation?

In the battlefield, Khara’s son showers arrows; the vānaras, struck and shaken, begin to flee.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast (implicit), the virtue of courage and composure under pressure is emphasized, setting the stage for Rama’s stabilizing response.