Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 71, Shloka 111

अतिकायवधः

The Slaying of Atikāya

Devanagari script

तछचिरस्सशिरस्त्राणंलक्ष्मणेषुप्रपीडितम् ।पपातसहसाभूमौशृङ्गंहिमवतोयथा ।।।।

Transliteration

tac chiraḥ sa-śirastrāṇaṁ lakṣmaṇeṣu prapīḍitam |

papāta sahasā bhūmau śṛṅgaṁ himavato yathā ||

Translation

ലക്ഷ്മണന്റെ ശരങ്ങളാൽ തകർന്ന ആ ശിരസ്—ശിരസ്ത്രാണം സഹിതം—ഹിമവത്പർവതത്തിലെ ശിഖരംപോലെ പെട്ടെന്ന് ഭൂമിയിലേക്കു വീണു.

Word by Word

• tat: that
• tat: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; here deictic with śiraḥ

• śiraḥ: head
• śiraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Nominative, Singular

• sa-śiras-trāṇam: with helmet
• sa-śiras-trāṇam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (सह) + śiras + trāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Nominative, Singular; उपपद-तत्पुरुष: śirastrāṇena saha (with head-armor/helmet); qualifying śiraḥ

• lakṣmaṇeṣu: by/with Lakshmana (lit. among Lakshmanas)
• lakṣmaṇeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण) / Nimitta (निमित्त)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural; idiomatically 'by Lakṣmaṇa's (arrows)' or 'in Lakṣmaṇa's (hands)'

• prapīḍitam: pressed/struck hard
• prapīḍitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √pīḍ (धातु) + pra- (उपसर्ग) (भूतकृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Napumsaka, Nominative, Singular; qualifying śiraḥ

• papāta: fell
• papāta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pat (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• sahasā: suddenly
• sahasā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sahasā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb

• bhūmau: on the ground
• bhūmau: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative, Singular

• śṛṅgam: a peak
• śṛṅgam: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śṛṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; upamāna (object of comparison)

• himavataḥ: of Himavat (Himalaya)
• himavataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: himavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• yathā: as/like
• yathā: Upamādyotaka (उपमाद्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; comparative particle (उपमा-प्रदर्शक)

Context

Struck by Lakshmana's arrow, the crowned head of Atikaya fell on the ground like Himalaya peak.

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• Atikāya
• Himavat (Himalaya)

FAQs

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

It underscores impermanence and moral consequence: grandeur and might collapse swiftly when used in support of adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

After being severed/overpowered by Lakṣmaṇa’s strike, Atikāya’s head drops heavily to the earth.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Lakṣmaṇa’s unwavering combat discipline, completing the act decisively in the midst of war.