Shloka 6

अकम्पनवधः — The Slaying of Akampana

Hanuman’s rout of the Rakshasa host

Devanagari script

ततःप्रजवनाश्वेनरथेनरथिनांवरः ।हरीनभ्यहनत्क्रोधाच्छरजालैकम्पनः ।।6.56.6।।

Transliteration

tataḥ prajavanāśvena rathena rathināṃ varaḥ |

harīn abhyahanat krodhāc chara-jālair akampanaḥ ||6.56.6||

Translation

അപ്പോൾ രഥയോദ്ധാക്കളിൽ ശ്രേഷ്ഠനായ അകമ്പനൻ, അതിവേഗ അശ്വങ്ങൾ വലിക്കുന്ന രഥത്തിൽ കയറി, ക്രോധത്തോടെ വാനരന്മാരെ ലക്ഷ്യമാക്കി ഘനമായ അമ്പുകളുടെ ജാലം ചൊരിഞ്ഞ് ആക്രമിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverb); अर्थे: अनन्तरम् (then/thereafter)

• प्रजवनाश्वेन: by/with a swift horse
• प्रजवनाश्वेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajavana-aśva (प्रातिपदिक; प्रजवन + अश्व)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया (करण) एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः (swift-moving + horse)

• रथेन: by/with the chariot
• रथेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया (करण) एकवचन

• रथिनाम्: of the chariot-warriors
• रथिनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rathin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध) बहुवचन

• वरः: the foremost
• वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (कर्ता) एकवचन

• हरीन्: the Vanaras
• हरीन्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (कर्म) बहुवचन

• अभ्यहनत्: assailed/struck
• अभ्यहनत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √han (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect/past); परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; उपसर्गः अभि- (assailed/struck)

• क्रोधात्: from anger / in anger
• क्रोधात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: krodha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; पञ्चमी (अपादान) एकवचन; हेतौ (from/through anger)

• शरजालैः: with a net/volley of arrows
• शरजालैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śara-jāla (प्रातिपदिक; शर + जाल)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया (करण) बहुवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (arrows’ net = net of arrows)

• अकम्पनः: Akampana
• अकम्पनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: akampana (प्रातिपदिक; नाम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (कर्ता) एकवचन; विशेष्यः (proper noun)

Context

In an atmosphere of triumph, the monkeys sportively shouted again saying that they are willing to give up their life also.

Characters & Entities

• Akampana
• Vānaras
• Chariot
• Arrows

FAQs

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

Unchecked anger (krodha) distorts righteous action; the epic repeatedly treats anger as a cause of adharmic excess even within warfare.

What is the narrative situation?

Akampana launches a powerful chariot-based arrow assault against the Vānara troops.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Military skill is shown (archery and chariot warfare), but it is paired with anger—highlighting the need for self-mastery in righteous combat.