अक्षवधः (The Slaying of Prince Aksha)
Sundarakāṇḍa Sarga 47
स तं परित्यज्य महारथो रथं सकार्मुकः खङ्गधरः खमुत्पतन्।
तपोऽभियोगादृषिरुग्रवीर्यवान्विहाय देहं मरुतामिवालयम्।।5.47.33।।
sa taṃ parityajya mahāratho rathaṃ sakārmukaḥ khaṅgadharaḥ kham utpatan |
tapo ’bhiyogād ṛṣir ugravīryavān vihāya dehaṃ marutām ivālayam ||5.47.33||
その戦車を捨て、大武人は弓を手に、剣を帯びて虚空へと跳び上がった。まるで苛烈なるタパスの力を具えた聖仙が天へ昇り、身を風の住処のごとく置き去りにするかのように。
(Aksha) the great charioteer abandoned the chariot, held a sword and a bow, and flew up to the region of the sky with his fierce power just as a sage with his fearsome ascetic power ascends to heaven, leaving his body.
The verse contrasts true tapas (spiritual power) with martial display: it uses sacred imagery to describe worldly combat, inviting reflection on what power is truly elevating.
With his chariot destroyed, Akṣa continues the fight by taking to the air, armed with bow and sword.
Persistence and adaptability in battle—refusing to yield after a setback.