Shloka 31

रावण–रामयुद्धप्रारम्भः

The Intensification of the Rama–Ravana Duel

Devanagari script

तयोरभून्महद्युद्धमन्योन्यवथकाङ्क्षिणोः ।अनासाद्यमच्नित्यं च वृत्रवासवयोरिव ।।6.100.31।।

Transliteration

tayor abhūn mahad yuddham anyonya-vadha-kāṅkṣiṇoḥ | anāsādhyam acintyaṃ ca vṛtra-vāsavayor iva ||6.100.31||

Translation

二人の間に――互いの滅びを望む者どうし――大いなる戦いが起こった。近づきがたく、思いも及ばぬそれは、ヴリトラとヴァーサヴァ（インドラ）の戦いのごとくであった。

Word by Word

तयोःof the two

अभूत्there was/became

महत्great

युद्धम्battle

अन्योन्यवधकाङ्क्षिणोःof the two desiring each other's death

अनासाद्यम्unapproachable/irresistible

अचिन्त्यम्unthinkable

चand

वृत्रवासवयोःof Vṛtra and Indra

इवlike

Context

Each of them desiring to end the other, fought a terrific battle like Vrtra and Indra earlier, a great fight unimaginable for others.

Characters & Entities

Rāma

Rāvaṇa

Vṛtra

Indra (Vāsava)

FAQs

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

Dharma is framed as the gravity of righteous conflict: when adharma must be checked, the struggle can become immense, yet it remains bound to the duty of confronting wrongdoing directly.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration heightens the scale of the duel by likening it to the cosmic battle of Indra and Vṛtra.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Determination (dṛḍha-niścaya): both are unwaveringly committed to victory, illustrating the intensity of a climactic confrontation.