Shloka 16
अतिकायवधः
The Slaying of Atikāya
क एषरक्षश्शार्दूलोरणभूमिविराजयन् ।अभ्येतिरथिनांश्रेष्ठोरथेनादित्यतेजसा ।।।।ध्वजशृङ्गप्रतिष्ठेनराहुणाभिविराजते ।सूर्यरमशिनिभैर्बाणैर्दिशो दश विराजयन् ।।।।
ka eṣa rakṣaśśārdūlo raṇabhūmivirājayan | abhyeti rathināṃ śreṣṭho rathenādityatejasā ||
dhvajaśṛṅgapratiṣṭhena rāhuṇābhivirājate | sūryaraśminibhair bāṇair diśo daśa virājayan ||
Siapakah ini, harimau di antara para rākṣasa, yang membuat medan perang berkilau—yang utama di antara para kesatria berkereta—maju dengan kereta bercahaya laksana matahari? Panjinya, tegak di puncak tiang bendera, berkilau dengan lambang Rāhu; dan dengan anak panah bak sinar surya ia menerangi sepuluh penjuru.
"The tiger among the Rakshasas seated in the chariot is the foremost car warrior. He is illuminating the battlefield like the brightness of the Sun, resplendent like Sun 's rays. By his arrows he is illuminating the ten directions. The Rahu emblem on top of the pole of the chariot is very splendid."
FAQs
Dharma underscores truthful appraisal of an opponent’s capacity; recognizing the ‘foremost chariot-warrior’ supports responsible strategy and protects one’s own forces—righteous leadership requires clear-eyed assessment.
Atikāya (implied) advances as a dazzling mahāratha; his banner bears a Rāhu emblem and his arrows are described as sunlike in brilliance.
Leadership prudence—accurately identifying the chief threat so that the righteous side can respond proportionately.