Shloka 21
महोदरवधः
The Slaying of Mahodara
गदांतांसुमहाघोरामापततनींमहाबलः ।सुग्रीवोरोषताम्राक्षस्समुद्यम्यमहाहवे ।।6.98.21।।आजघानगदांतस्यपरिघेणहरीश्वर ।पपात स गदोद्भिन्नःपरिघस्तस्यभूतले ।।6.98.22।।
gadāṁ tāṁ su-mahā-ghorām āpatantīṁ mahā-balaḥ |
sugrīvo roṣa-tāmrākṣaḥ samudyamya mahāhave ||6.98.21||
ājaghāna gadāṁ tasya parigheṇa harīśvaraḥ |
papāta sa gadodbhinnaḥ parighas tasya bhūtale ||6.98.22||
Dans ce heurt effroyable, le puissant Sugrīva—les yeux rougis de colère—leva sa barre de fer et frappa la massue qui fondait sur lui, lancée par Mahodara. Brisée par le coup, la massue tomba sur le sol.
In that terrible conflict, seeing the mace broken and falling, mighty Sugriva, whose eyes turned red in anger, lifted up his iron bar, struck at the mace of the Rakshasa. The mace fell on the ground and broke into pieces.
FAQs
Dharma in righteous warfare includes skill and measured response: Sugrīva meets force with force in open combat, protecting his side without treachery.
Mahodara’s thrown/charging mace is intercepted; Sugrīva counters with an iron bar, breaking the weapon and shifting momentum in the duel.
Sugrīva’s śaurya (heroic prowess) and presence of mind in battle—he times a defensive strike that neutralizes a lethal attack.