Valmiki Ramayana 6.69.89 — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 69, Shloka 89

त्रिशिरा-प्रबोधनम् तथा नरान्तक-वधः

Trisira’s Counsel and the Slaying of Naranthaka

Devanagari script

तंप्रासमालोक्यतदाविभग्नंसुपर्णकृत्तोरगभोगकल्पम् ।तलंसमुद्यम्य स वालिपुत्रस्तुरङ्गमतस्यजघानमूर्ध्नि ।।।।

Transliteration

taṁ prāsam ālokya tadā vibhagnaṁ suparṇa-kṛttoraga-bhoga-kalpam | talaṁ samudyamya sa vāli-putras turaṅgamasya jaghāna mūrdhni ||

Translation

അപ്പോൾ തകർന്നുവീണ പ്രാസത്തെ കണ്ടു—ഗരുഡൻ മുറിച്ചിട്ട സർപ്പഭോഗംപോലെ—വാലിപുത്രൻ കൈത്തളിർ ഉയർത്തി അവന്റെ കുതിരയുടെ തലയിൽ അടിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• nimagna-tāluḥ: with sunken palate
• nimagna-tāluḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ni-√maj (धातु) + tālu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; kta participle nimagna (sunken) + tālu (palate) in tatpuruṣa

• sphuṭita-akṣi-tāraḥ: with shattered eyeballs
• sphuṭita-akṣi-tāraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sphuṭita (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त) + akṣi + tāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: sphuṭita (split) qualifying akṣi-tāra (pupils/eyeballs)

• niṣkrānta-jihvaḥ: with tongue protruded
• niṣkrānta-jihvaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niṣ-√kram (धातु) + jihvā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; kta participle niṣkrānta (protruded) + jihvā (tongue)

• acala-sannikāśaḥ: mountain-like
• acala-sannikāśaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: acala + sannikāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: acala-sannikāśa = resembling a mountain

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• tasya: his
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana

• vājī: horse
• vājī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vājin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• nipapāta: fell down
• nipapāta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-√pat (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ lakāra (Perfect), Prathama puruṣa, Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• bhūmau: on the ground
• bhūmau: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Saptamī, Ekavacana

• tala-prahāreṇa: by the palm-strike
• tala-prahāreṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tala + prahāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (Instrumental), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: tala-prahāra = blow with the palm

• viśīrṇa-mūrdhā: with head shattered
• viśīrṇa-mūrdhā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-√śṝ (धातु) + mūrdhan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; kta participle viśīrṇa (split) + mūrdhan (head)

Context

Hearing Angada's words Naranthaka flew into a rage. Biting his lips with teeth, hissing like a serpent Naranthaka stood before Angada. He hurled his spear glowing like fire on Angada's chest violently. It struck Angada and shattered, went round, and fell.

Characters & Entities

• Aṅgada
• Vāli
• Narāntaka
• horse (turaṅgama)
• spear (prāsa)
• Garuḍa (suparṇa)

FAQs

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

Skillful action in defense: dharma in battle includes strategy—neutralizing an enemy’s mobility to protect one’s side.

What is the narrative situation?

After the spear breaks, Aṅgada counters immediately by striking the enemy’s horse on the head.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Presence of mind and tactical strength.