Shloka 90

युद्धकाण्डे एकोनषष्टितमः सर्गः

Rāvaṇa’s Assault on Nīla and Lakṣmaṇa; Hanumān Bears Rāma

Devanagari script

सोऽस्त्रयुक्तेनबाणेननीलोवक्षसिताडितः ।निर्धह्यमानस्सहसानिपपातमहीतले ।।6.59.90।।

Transliteration

so 'stra-yuktena bāṇena nīlo vakṣasi tāḍitaḥ |

nirdahyamānaḥ sahasā nipapāta mahītale ||6.59.90||

Translation

അസ്ത്രശക്തിയാൽ സംയുക്തമായ അമ്പ് നീലന്റെ വക്ഷസ്ഥലത്ത് പതിച്ചു; അതിന്റെ പ്രഭാവത്തിൽ ദഹിച്ചുകൊണ്ട് അവൻ പെട്ടെന്ന് ഭൂമിയിൽ വീണു।

Word by Word

सःhe (that one)

अस्त्र-युक्तेनwith a weapon-attached (arrow)

बाणेनby an arrow

नीलःNīla

वक्षसिon the chest

ताडितःstruck

निर्धह्यमानःbeing burned/consumed

सहसाsuddenly

निपपातfell down

महीतलेon the ground

Context

Struck by the arrow propelled by the missile (of Ravana) on the chest, Neela fell on the ground.

Characters & Entities

Nīla

Rāvaṇa (implied)

astra

arrow (bāṇa)

FAQs

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

It underscores the cost of war and the duty of leaders to endure hardship; dharma in battle includes steadfastness despite injury and the protection of one’s host.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa’s astra-empowered arrow hits Nīla in the chest, and Nīla collapses.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Endurance under attack is implied; even a strong commander can be overwhelmed by superior weaponry.