Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 37

युद्धकाण्डे द्वादशः सर्गः — रावणस्य परिषद्-सम्बोधनं कुम्भकर्णस्य नीत्युपदेशश्च

Ravana’s Council Address and Kumbhakarna’s Counsel

Devanagari script

गिरिमात्रशरीरस्यमहापरिघयोधिनः ।नर्दतस्तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रस्यबिभीयाद्वैपुरन्दरः ।।6.12.37।।

Transliteration

giri-mātra-śarīrasya mahā-parigha-yodhinaḥ | nardatas tīkṣṇa-daṃṣṭrasya bibhīyād vai purandaraḥ || 6.12.37 ||

Translation

पर्वत के समान विशाल शरीर वाले, विशाल परिघ (गदा) से युद्ध करने वाले, तीखे दाँतों वाले और गर्जना करने वाले मुझसे स्वयं इंद्र भी भयभीत हो जाएँगे।

Word by Word

• girimātraśarīrasya: of one whose body is as big as a mountain
• girimātraśarīrasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: giri + mātra + śarīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (Genitive/6th), Ekavacana; bahuvrīhi: girimātraṃ śarīraṃ yasya (whose body is mountain-sized)

• mahāparighayodhinaḥ: of the wielder of a huge iron club
• mahāparighayodhinaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + parigha + yodhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (Genitive/6th), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: mahāparighena yodhī (fighter with a huge iron bar)

• nardataḥ: of (him) roaring
• nardataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nard (धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ)
• Form: Vartamāna-kṛdanta (present active participle), Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (Genitive/6th), Ekavacana; ‘of the roaring one’

• tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭrasya: of the sharp-fanged one
• tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭrasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīkṣṇa + daṃṣṭrā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (Genitive/6th), Ekavacana; bahuvrīhi: tīkṣṇā daṃṣṭrā yasya (who has sharp fangs/teeth)

• bibhīyāt: would fear
• bibhīyāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhī (धातु)
• Form: Optative (Vidhi-liṅ/विधिलिङ्), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana, Ātmanepada

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Nipāta (emphatic particle)

• purandaraḥ: Purandara (Indra)
• purandaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: purandara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (Nominative/1st), Ekavacana; epithet of Indra

Context

"By the time he releases a second arrow again, I will immediately drink his blood. Stay quiet with confidence."

Characters & Entities

• Indra (Purandara)
• Kumbhakarna (implied self-description)

FAQs

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

Power without righteousness is not dharma; the verse showcases intimidation as a substitute for moral legitimacy.

What is the narrative situation?

Kumbhakarna describes his terrifying form and claims even Indra would fear him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Physical might and martial ferocity (bala/ugratā).