Shloka 23

धूम्राक्षवधः

The Slaying of Dhumrākṣa

Devanagari script

तत्सुभीमंमहायुद्धंहरिराक्षससङ्कुलम् ।प्रबभौशब्दबहुलंशिलापादपसङ्कुलम् ।।6.52.23।।

Transliteration

tat subhīmaṃ mahāyuddhaṃ harirākṣasasaṅkulam | prababhau śabdabahulaṃ śilāpādapasaṅkulam ||6.52.23||

Translation

വാനര-രാക്ഷസന്മാർ നിറഞ്ഞ ആ അതിഭീകര മഹായുദ്ധം, ഘോരശബ്ദങ്ങളാൽ മുഴങ്ങി, പാറകളും വൃക്ഷങ്ങളും കവിഞ്ഞൊഴുകി ജ്വലിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• तत्: that
• तत्: विशेष्य (Subject referent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; here prathama with ‘युद्धम्’ in apposition

• सुभीमम्: very terrible
• सुभीमम्: विशेषण (to महायुद्धम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su + bhīma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• महा-युद्धम्: great battle
• महा-युद्धम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + yuddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• हरि-राक्षस-सङ्कुलम्: crowded with monkeys and Rakshasas
• हरि-राक्षस-सङ्कुलम्: विशेषण (to महायुद्धम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hari + rākṣasa + saṅkula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्वन्द्व (हरयः च राक्षसाः) + ‘सङ्कुल’ (crowded)

• प्रबभौ: shone/appeared/abounded
• प्रबभौ: क्रिया (Kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + √bhā (भा)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• शब्द-बहुलम्: full of noise
• शब्द-बहुलम्: विशेषण (to महायुद्धम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śabda + bahula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘शब्दैः बहुल’

• शिला-पादप-सङ्कुलम्: crowded with rocks and trees
• शिला-पादप-सङ्कुलम्: विशेषण (to महायुद्धम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śilā + pādapa + saṅkula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्वन्द्व (शिलाः च पादपाः) + ‘सङ्कुल’

Context

The monkeys and Rakshasa groups took part in a fierce fight with rocks and trees abounding loud noise.

Characters & Entities

• Vānara (Vanaras)
• Rākṣasa (Rakshasas)
• Śilā (rocks)
• Pādapa (trees)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown here as something defended amid overwhelming tumult—righteous order must be upheld even when the world appears ruled by noise, fear, and confusion.

What is the narrative situation?

A panoramic description of the battlefield: both armies intermingled, weapons and missiles everywhere, and the uproar of combat filling the scene.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective steadfastness—armies remain engaged despite terror and sensory chaos.