Shloka 2

धूम्राक्षवधः

The Slaying of Dhumrākṣa

Devanagari script

तेषांसुतुमुलंयुद्धंसञ्जज्ञेकपिरक्षसाम् ।अन्योन्यंपादपैर्घोरंनिघ्नतांशूलमुद्गरैः ।।6.52.2।।

Transliteration

teṣāṃ sutumulaṃ yuddhaṃ sañjajñe kapirakṣasām | anyonyaṃ pādapair ghoraṃ nighnatāṃ śūlamudgaraiḥ ||6.52.2||

Translation

കപികളും രാക്ഷസരും തമ്മിൽ അത്യന്തം തുമുലമായ യുദ്ധം ഉദിച്ചു; അവർ പരസ്പരം ഭീകരമായി പ്രഹരിച്ചു—വാനരർ ഭയങ്കര വൃക്ഷങ്ങളാൽ, രാക്ഷസർ ശൂലവും മുദ്ഗരവും കൊണ്ട്.

Word by Word

तेषाम्of them

सुतुमुलम्very tumultuous

युद्धम्battle

सञ्जज्ञेarose, occurred

कपिरक्षसाम्of monkeys and rākṣasas

अन्योन्यम्mutually, one another

पादपैःwith trees

घोरम्terribly, dreadful

निघ्नताम्of those striking (as they struck)

शूलमुद्गरैःwith tridents and clubs

Context

Endowed with speed, the Vanaras also fell on the Rakshasas at greater speed, knocking them down with fists, feet, teeth and even trees.

Characters & Entities

Vānara (Vanaras)

Rākṣasa (Rakshasas)

FAQs

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

The verse frames the conflict as a regulated battlefield encounter (yuddha), implying yuddha-dharma: combat is pursued openly with recognized weapons, not through deceit against the helpless.

What is the narrative situation?

The battle intensifies in Laṅkā as Vanara forces and Rakshasa forces clash at close quarters, using improvised weapons (trees) and martial weapons (tridents, clubs).

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective valor and steadfastness—both sides press forward in direct confrontation, highlighting courage under chaos.