Shloka 28

धूम्राक्षप्रेषणम्

The Dispatch of Dhūmrākṣa

Devanagari script

वृकसिंहमुखैर्युक्तंखरैःकनकभूषणै: ।आरुरोहरथंदिव्यंधूम्राक्षःखरनिस्स्वनः ।।6.51.28।।

Transliteration

vṛka-siṃha-mukhair yuktaṃ kharaiḥ kanaka-bhūṣaṇaiḥ |

ārurōha rathaṃ divyaṃ dhūmrākṣaḥ khara-nissvanaḥ ||6.51.28||

Translation

കഴുതയുടെ കർക്കശ നാദംപോലെയുള്ള ശബ്ദമുള്ള ധൂമ്രാക്ഷൻ, വൃക്ക-സിംഹമുഖങ്ങളായി രൂപപ്പെടുത്തിയതും സ്വർണ്ണാഭരണങ്ങളാൽ അലങ്കരിച്ചതുമായ കഴുതകൾ ചേർത്ത ദിവ്യരഥത്തിൽ കയറി.

Word by Word

• रथ-प्रवरम्: the excellent chariot
• रथ-प्रवरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रवर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (रथेषु प्रवरः)

• आस्थाय: having mounted
• आस्थाय: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ+स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive), ‘having mounted/taken to’

• खर-युक्तम्: yoked with donkeys
• खर-युक्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: खर (प्रातिपदिक) + युक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (खरैः युक्तम्)

• खर-स्वनम्: donkey-sounding
• खर-स्वनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: खर (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (खरवत् स्वनः यस्य)

• प्रयान्तम्: as he was going
• प्रयान्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र+या (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ), द्वितीया, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; ‘going forth’ (object of ‘they opposed’)

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/अनुवाद (but)

• महा-घोरम्: very terrible
• महा-घोरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महद् घोरम्)

• राक्षसम्: the rakshasa
• राक्षसम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• भीम-दर्शनम्: of fearful appearance
• भीम-दर्शनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भीम (प्रातिपदिक) + दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (भीमं दर्शनं यस्य)

• अन्तरिक्ष-गताः: in the sky
• अन्तरिक्ष-गताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्तरिक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + गत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अन्तरिक्षं गताः)

• घोराः: terrible
• घोराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• शकुनाः: birds (omens)
• शकुनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शकुन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• प्रत्यषेधयन्: obstructed
• प्रत्यषेधयन्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति+षिध् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपद; ‘forbade/checked/obstructed’

Context

And others collected together holding shields, fearless like tigers, frightful in appearance, mounted on fast horses, chariots yoked to donkeys of different kinds covered with gold mesh, on maddened elephants Set out.

Characters & Entities

• Dhūmrākṣa
• Chariot (ratha)
• Donkeys (khara)

FAQs

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

The verse underlines ominous symbolism (harsh braying, fearsome imagery); dharma teaching: inner character, not ornate display, determines auspiciousness and moral worth.

What is the narrative situation?

Dhumrākṣa prepares to depart, mounting his distinctive chariot.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Commanding presence and readiness for combat (presented with ominous overtones).