Shloka 37

कुम्भकर्णप्रस्थानम्

Kumbhakarna’s Departure for Battle

Devanagari script

पदातयश्चबहवोमहानादामहाबलाः ।अन्वयूराक्षसाभीमाभीमाक्षाश्शस्त्रपाणयः ।।।।

Transliteration

padātayaś ca bahavo mahānādā mahābalāḥ |

anvayū rākṣasā bhīmā bhīmākṣāḥ śastrapāṇayaḥ ||6.65.37||

Translation

അനവധി പാദാതി രാക്ഷസർ മഹാനാദം മുഴക്കി, മഹാബലവാന്മാരായി, ഭയങ്കരരായി, ഭീമാക്ഷരായി, കൈകളിൽ ശസ്ത്രങ്ങൾ ധരിച്ച് അവനെ അനുഗമിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• पदातयः: foot-soldiers
• पदातयः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पदाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• बहवः: many
• बहवः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• महानादाः: loud-roaring
• महानादाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा-नाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• महाबलाः: very strong
• महाबलाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा-बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• अन्वयुः: followed
• अन्वयुः: क्रिया (Kriya/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु-√या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• राक्षसाः: Rakshasas
• राक्षसाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• भीमाः: terrifying
• भीमाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भीम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• भीमाक्षाः: having dreadful eyes
• भीमाक्षाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भीम-अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (भीमाः अक्षीणि यस्य)

• शस्त्रपाणयः: weapon-in-hand
• शस्त्रपाणयः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शस्त्र-पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (शस्त्राणि पाणिषु येषाम्)

Context

Rakshasas of loud voice, great prowess, and fearful with frightening eyes, lifted the many weapons in hand and followed on foot.

Characters & Entities

• Rākṣasas
• Kumbhakarṇa

FAQs

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

The verse emphasizes how collective violence amplifies fear; dharma discourse in the epic often contrasts such terror with disciplined, principled force.

What is the narrative situation?

Foot-soldiers of the rākṣasa host move behind Kumbhakarṇa as the army advances.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Martial readiness and intimidation as a battlefield tactic (though not presented as moral excellence).