Shloka 29

रावण–रामयुद्धप्रारम्भः

The Intensification of the Rama–Ravana Duel

Devanagari script

गवाक्षितमिवाकाशंबभूवशरवृष्टिभिः ।महावेगैस्सुतीक्ष्णैग्रैर्गृध्रपत्रैःसुवाजितैः ।।6.100.29।।

Transliteration

gavākṣitam ivākāśaṃ babhūva śaravṛṣṭibhiḥ |

mahāvegaiḥ sutīkṣṇāgrair gṛdhrapatraiḥ suvājitaiḥ ||6.100.29||

Translation

矢の雨――風のごとく疾く、剃刀のように鋭い鏃、禿鷲の羽で矢羽を飾ったそれら――によって、天空はまるで窓格子のように区切られて見えた。

Word by Word

• गवाक्षितम्: windowed/perforated (as with windows)
• गवाक्षितम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गवाक्षित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (Past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषणम् (of ākāśam)

• इव: like
• इव: उपमान (Simile marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, उपमानसूचक

• आकाशम्: the sky
• आकाशम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular)

• बभूव: became/appeared
• बभूव: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• शरवृष्टिभिः: by showers of arrows
• शरवृष्टिभिः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर + वृष्टि (प्रातिपदिकौ)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ('of arrows' + 'shower')

• महावेगैः: with great speed
• महावेगैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + वेग (प्रातिपदिकौ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural); कर्मधारयः ('great' + 'speedy'); विशेषणम् (of the arrows)

• सुतीक्ष्णाग्रैः: with very sharp points
• सुतीक्ष्णाग्रैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + तीक्ष्ण + अग्र (प्रातिपदिकौ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः ('very sharp' + 'pointed'); विशेषणम्

• गृध्रपत्रैः: with vulture/eagle feathers (as fletching)
• गृध्रपत्रैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गृध्र + पत्र (प्रातिपदिकौ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः ('vulture/eagle' + 'feather/plume'); विशेषणम्

• सुवाजितैः: well-driven/well-fitted
• सुवाजितैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + वाजित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम्; अर्थः 'well-fitted/strongly driven' (of arrows)

Context

"On killing both Rama and Lakshmana, I will relieve the sorrow of ministers killed and of Lanka from suffering.

Characters & Entities

• ākāśa (sky)
• śara (arrows)
• gṛdhra (vulture feathers)

FAQs

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

The verse artistically depicts the overwhelming spread of violence; dharma’s purpose is to restrain such destructive excess and re-establish a truthful, life-protecting order.

What is the narrative situation?

Arrows fill the air so densely that the sky seems patterned like a windowed lattice.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Implied martial prowess on both sides; the text focuses on intensity rather than a single moral trait.