Shloka 2

इन्द्रजित्प्रेषणम्—ब्रह्मास्त्रबन्धः, हनूमद्ग्रहणं, रावणसभाप्रवेशः

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

Devanagari script

त्वमस्त्रविच्छस्त्रविदां वरिष्ठस्सुरासुराणामपि शोकदाता।सुरेषु सेन्द्रेषु च दृष्टकर्मा पितामहाराधनसञ्चितास्त्रः।।।।

Transliteration

tvam astravic chastravidāṃ variṣṭhaḥ surāsurāṇām api śokadātā | sureṣu sendreṣu ca dṛṣṭakarmā pitāmahārādhanasañcitāstraḥ ||

Translation

നീ അസ്ത്രവിദ്യയിൽ പ്രാവീണ്യമുള്ളവനും ശസ്ത്രവിദഗ്ധരിൽ ശ്രേഷ്ഠനുമാണ്; ദേവന്മാർക്കും അസുരന്മാർക്കും പോലും ദുഃഖം വരുത്തുന്നവൻ. ഇന്ദ്രനോടുകൂടിയ ദേവന്മാരോടും യുദ്ധത്തിൽ നിന്റെ പരാക്രമം തെളിഞ്ഞിട്ടുണ്ട്; പിതാമഹനായ ബ്രഹ്മാവിനെ ആരാധിച്ച് നീ മഹാശക്തിയുള്ള അസ്ത്രങ്ങളുടെ സമ്പത്ത് സമ്പാദിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു।

Word by Word

त्वम्you

अस्त्रवित्knower of missiles (astras)

शस्त्रविदाम्of the weapon-experts

वरिष्ठःthe best, most excellent

सुरासुराणाम्of gods and demons

अपिalso, even

शोकदाताgiver of grief

सुरेषुamong the gods

सेन्द्रेषुincluding Indra / with Indra

चand

दृष्टकर्माof proven deeds; renowned for exploits

पितामहाराधनसञ्चितास्त्रःone whose missiles were acquired by propitiating the Grandfather (Brahmā)

Context

"You are an expert in wielding astras (missiles) and foremost among the wielders of weapons. You are highly efficient. You have brought grief even to suras and asuras. You are a warrior of proven ability demonstrated in your war against the gods including Indra. By propitiating, (through penance), grandfather Brahma you have acquired many missiles.

Characters & Entities

Indrajit (Meghanāda)

Hanuman

Indra

Brahmā (Pitāmaha)

astras

suras

asuras

FAQs

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

Power and acquired weapons are ethically neutral; Dharma depends on how such power is used. The verse implicitly warns that prowess gained through tapas or divine favor must be restrained by righteousness, otherwise it becomes a cause of suffering.

What is the narrative situation?

As Indrajit prepares to engage Hanuman, he asserts his martial superiority—claiming mastery of astras and a proven record even against the gods—framing the imminent duel.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Martial competence and confidence (kṣātra-tejas) are emphasized, though the tone also highlights the peril of pride when strength is not governed by Dharma.