Shloka 38

खरसेनासङ्ग्रामः

The Battle with Khara’s Host at the Hermitage

Devanagari script

नाददानं शरान्घोरान्नमुञ्चन्तं शिलीमुखान्।विकर्षमाणं पश्यन्ति राक्षसास्ते शरार्दिताः।।।।

Transliteration

nādādānaṃ śarān ghorān na muñcantaṃ śilīmukhān | vikarṣamāṇaṃ paśyanti rākṣasās te śarārditāḥ ||

Translation

അമ്പുകളാൽ വേദനിച്ചിട്ടും ആ രാക്ഷസന്മാർ രാമനെ തിരിച്ചറിയാനായില്ല; ഭയങ്കര ശരം എടുത്ത് മൂർച്ചയുള്ള ശിലീമുഖങ്ങൾ വലിച്ചുവിട്ട് വിടുന്നതേയുള്ളൂ അവർ കണ്ടത്.

Word by Word

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/negator)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध-अव्यय)

• ādadānam: taking up
• ādadānam: Karma (कर्म) (object of paśyanti)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√dā (धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Present active participle (वर्तमानकाले परस्मैपदी शतृ), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying an implied object (Rama) understood from context

• śarān: arrows
• śarān: Karma (कर्म) (object of 'taking up')
• Type: Noun
• Root: śara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ghorān: terrible
• ghorān: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ghora (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन); qualifying śarān

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/negator)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध-अव्यय)

• muñcantam: releasing
• muñcantam: Karma (कर्म) (object of paśyanti)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √muc (धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Present active participle (वर्तमानकाले परस्मैपदी शतृ), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying the same implied object

• śilīmukhān: sharp arrows
• śilīmukhān: Karma (कर्म) (object of 'releasing')
• Type: Noun
• Root: śilīmukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन)

• vikarṣamāṇam: drawing (the bow)
• vikarṣamāṇam: Karma (कर्म) (object of paśyanti)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√kṛṣ (धातु) + śānac (शानच्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Present middle participle (वर्तमानकाले आत्मनेपदी शानच्), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); 'drawing (the bow)'

• paśyanti: see
• paśyanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु) (paśya-आदेश)
• Form: Present (लट्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• rākṣasāḥ: demons
• rākṣasāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• te: those
• te: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); pronoun in apposition to rākṣasāḥ

• śarārditāḥ: wounded by arrows
• śarārditāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śara + ārdita (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); तृतीया-तत्पुरुष: 'afflicted by arrows'

Context

As the infuriated demons again hurtled towards Rama, filling the quarters and the intermediate directions and raining missiles, Rama aimed at them dazzling gandharvastras, producing a frightening warcry.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Dharma highlights rightful power used with restraint and precision—strength that is effective without being reckless.

What is the narrative situation?

The rākṣasas, already wounded, are overwhelmed by the speed and continuity of Rama’s archery.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Focused discipline—Rama’s steady, unbroken attention while engaging many foes.