Shloka 26

खरवधः — The Slaying of Khara

Janasthana Battle Climax

Devanagari script

स विमुक्तो महाबाणो निर्घातसमनिस्वनः।रामेण धनुरायम्य खरस्योरसिचापतत्।।।।

Transliteration

sa vimukto mahābāṇo nirghātasamanisvanaḥ | rāmeṇa dhanur āyamya kharasyorasi cāpatat ||

Translation

ധനുസ്സിനെ പൂർണ്ണമായി വലിച്ചുകെട്ടി രാമൻ വിട്ട മഹാശരം ഘോര ഇടിമുഴക്കത്തുപോലെ മുഴങ്ങി ഖരന്റെ വക്ഷസ്സിൽ പതിച്ചു।

Word by Word

• saḥ: that
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; refers to 'mahābāṇaḥ'

• vimuktaḥ: released
• vimuktaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-√muc (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; qualifying 'bāṇaḥ'

• mahābāṇaḥ: great arrow
• mahābāṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + bāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya: mahān bāṇaḥ; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• nirghātasamanisvanaḥ: having a crash-like sound
• nirghātasamanisvanaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nirghāta + sama + nisvana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi: nirghātasamaḥ nisvanaḥ yasya (whose sound is like a crash); Masculine, Nominative, Singular; qualifying 'mahābāṇaḥ'

• rāmeṇa: by Rama
• rāmeṇa: Kartṛ (कर्ता; agent of releasing)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• dhanuḥ: the bow
• dhanuḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanus (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• āyamya: having drawn (stretched)
• āyamya: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√yam (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्/य-प्रत्यय; āyamya)

• kharasya: of Khara
• kharasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• urasi: on the chest
• urasi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण; locus)
• Type: Noun
• Root: uras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• apatat: fell/struck
• apatat: Kriyā (मुख्यक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√pat (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

Context

Bending the bow fully, Rama released the arrow roaring like a violent gust of wind, which fell on Khara's chest.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Khara
• bow
• arrow

FAQs

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

Kṣatriya-dharma: decisive action against violent aggressors. Rāma’s force is directed toward restoring moral order by stopping a tyrannical rākṣasa leader.

What is the narrative situation?

In the battle in Daṇḍaka, Rāma releases a powerful arrow that hits Khara in the chest, turning the fight decisively.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vīrya (valor) and niścaya (firm resolve): Rāma acts with controlled strength and precision in defense of righteousness.