Valmiki Ramayana 2.9.13: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 13
मन्थराप्रेरणा · वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
Spoken by Manthara to Kaikeyi
स शम्बर इति ख्यातश्शतमायो महासुरः ।
ददौ शक्रस्य सङ्ग्रामं देवसङ्घैरनिर्जितः ॥१३॥
sa śambara iti khyātaḥ śatamāyo mahāsuraḥ |
dadau śakrasya saṅgrāmaṃ devasaṅghair anirjitaḥ ||13||
शम्बर नाम का एक बड़ा असुर था। लोग उसे शतमाया भी कहते थे क्योंकि वो सौ तरीके से धोखा देता था। उसने इंद्र को लड़ाई के लिए चैलेंज किया। देवताओं की पूरी सेना भी उसे हरा नहीं पायी थी।
Sandhi Notes
- तस्मिन्महति = तस्मिन् + महति। पुरुषान्क्षतविक्षतान् = पुरुषान् + क्षतविक्षतान्। प्रसुप्तान्घ्नन्ति = प्रसुप्तान् + घ्नन्ति। तरसाऽऽसाद्य = तरसा + आसाद्य (आ + आ → आऽऽ)।
That mighty asura well-known as Sambara, capable of a hundred deceitful forms, challenged Indra to a battle which could not be conquered by hosts of gods.
The teaching
Adharma often advances through deception (māyā); dharma must meet it with courage and clarity.
- Ethical theme
- Cosmic order vs adharma
Devotion and practice
Reminder to confront inner 'māyā' (delusion) with steadiness; vigilance against deception.
- Deity praised
- Indra (Śakra)
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Raudra (fury), with Vira (heroism)
- Mood
- Menacing, defiant, battle-charged
Themes
- Itihasa
- Conflict of Devas and Asuras
- Dharma vs Adharma
- Illusion (māyā)
Śambara’s 'māyā' parallels avidyā’s power to obscure; victory requires discernment (viveka) and steadfastness.
Māyā/avidyā as concealment of truth resonates with later Upaniṣadic and Vedāntic discourse on ignorance veiling reality.
Deva–asura battle initiated/provoked by Śambara
- Shambara and Indra
- Challenger vs defender; provocation to battle (hostile)
Purāṇic narratives of Śambara as an asura associated with illusion and conflict with devas (various Purāṇas); Mahābhārata: asura-māyā motifs (e.g., Maya Dānava’s architectural/illusory prowess as thematic parallel)
Vedic Indra’s repeated combats against powerful adversaries; trope of the unconquered enemy
Ayodhyākāṇḍa 2.9: Kaikeyī’s narrative builds the peril that justifies her saving act
Anuṣṭup (śloka)
Commanding
Tīvra, slightly faster tempo; stress on 'शतमायो' and 'अनिर्जितः'
FAQs
Dharma is framed through cosmic conflict: deceitful power (māyā) aligned with adharma challenges rightful order, requiring steadfast resistance.
Mantharā describes the formidable asura Śambara and the threat posed to Indra, setting the stage for Daśaratha’s involvement.
Courage and perseverance in the face of overwhelming, deceptive opposition.
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