Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 48, Shloka 25

इन्द्रजित्प्रेषणम्—ब्रह्मास्त्रबन्धः, हनूमद्ग्रहणं, रावणसभाप्रवेशः

Indrajit’s Deployment—Brahmāstra Binding, Hanuman’s Capture, Entry into Ravana’s Court

Devanagari script

इन्द्रजित्तु रथं दिव्यमास्थितश्चित्रकार्मुकः।धनुर्विष्फारयामास तटिदूर्जितन्निस्स्वनम्।।।।

Transliteration

indrajit tu rathaṃ divyam āsthitaś citrakārmukaḥ | dhanur viṣphārayāmāsa taṭidūrjitanissvanam ||

Translation

ಇಂದ್ರಜಿತನು ದಿವ್ಯ ರಥವನ್ನು ಆರೋಹಿಸಿ, ಸುಂದರ ಧನುಸ್ಸನ್ನು ಧರಿಸಿ, ಧನುಷ್ಯದ ತಂತಿಯನ್ನು ಝಣಕಾರಿಸಿದನು; ಅದು ಮಿಂಚಿನ ಗರ್ಜನೆಯಂತೆ ಪ್ರತಿಧ್ವನಿಸಿತು.

Word by Word

• इन्द्रजित्: Indrajit
• इन्द्रजित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्रजित् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तु: however
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle: on the other hand/indeed)

• रथम्: chariot
• रथम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• दिव्यम्: divine
• दिव्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifies रथम्)

• आस्थितः: seated/standing upon
• आस्थितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ + स्थित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √स्था)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (PPP): ‘having mounted/being seated’

• चित्रकार्मुकः: wondrous-bow (bearer)
• चित्रकार्मुकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्र + कार्मुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: चित्रं कार्मुकं यस्य (having a wondrous bow)

• धनुः: bow
• धनुः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• विष्फारयामास: twanged
• विष्फारयामास: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + √स्फुर्/√स्फार् (धातु; विष्फारय)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिच् (causative) रूप: ‘caused to resound/twanged’

• तटिदूर्जितनिःस्वनम्: with a lightning-like rumble
• तटिदूर्जितनिःस्वनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तटित् + ऊर्जित + निःस्वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: तटितेव ऊर्जितः निःस्वनः यस्य/तटिद्वत् ऊर्जितः निःस्वनः (thunderous like lightning)

Context

Indrajit on his part sat in his divine chariot holding a wonderful bow and in a lightning speed twanged it.

Characters & Entities

• Indrajit
• divine chariot
• bow
• lightning (taṭit)

FAQs

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

External splendor and terrifying display do not define righteousness. The epic invites readers to judge actions by Dharma (right cause and right conduct), not by power-signs.

What is the narrative situation?

Indrajit publicly signals readiness for combat from his divine chariot, twanging his bow with a thunder-like sound.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Martial confidence and readiness for battle—though the epic context keeps the ethical evaluation tied to the cause served.