Shloka 12
वज्रदंष्ट्रवधः — The Slaying of Vajradaṃṣṭra
Angada’s Duel
राक्षसान्भयवित्रस्तान्हन्यमानान् प्लवङ्गमैः ।।6.54.12।।दृष्टवासरोषताम्राक्षोवज्रदंष्ट्रःप्रतापवान् ।प्रविवेशधनुष्पाणिस्त्रासयन्हरिवाहिनीम् ।।6.54.13।।
rākṣasān bhayavitrastān hanyamānān plavaṅgamaiḥ ||6.54.12||
dṛṣṭvā sa roṣatāmrākṣo vajradaṃṣṭraḥ pratāpavān |
praviveśa dhanuṣpāṇis trāsayan harivāhinīm ||6.54.13||
वानरों द्वारा काटे जाते, भय से व्याकुल राक्षसों को देखकर प्रतापी वज्रदंष्ट्र की आँखें क्रोध से लाल हो उठीं; वह धनुष हाथ में लेकर वानर-सेना में घुस पड़ा और हरि-वाहिनी को आतंकित करने लगा।
Thereafter Rakshasas were killed by Vanaras as Vajradamshtra kept looking at them and the Rakshasas ran from there.
FAQs
The verse contrasts duty with rage: a warrior’s intervention to protect his side is a form of kṣātra-dharma, yet being driven by uncontrolled anger is portrayed as a destabilizing force that spreads fear.
Rākṣasa troops are faltering under vānaras’ attacks; Vajradaṃṣṭra responds by charging into the vānaras with his bow to turn the tide.
Martial boldness and initiative (pratāpa) in Vajradaṃṣṭra, though colored by the flaw of krodha.