Shloka 23

इन्द्रजित्-हनूमद्-युद्धं तथा निकुम्भिलायां होमः

Indrajit vs Hanuman; Indrajit’s Nikumbhila rite

Devanagari script

त्युक्त्वावानरश्रेष्ठोवारयन्सर्ववानरान् ।।।।शनैश्शनैरसन्त्रस्तस्सबलस्सन्यवर्तत ।

Transliteration

ity uktvā vānaraśreṣṭho vārayann sarvavānarān | śanaiḥ śanair asantrastaḥ sabalaḥ sa nyavartata ||

Translation

ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞ് വാനരശ്രേഷ്ഠൻ എല്ലാ വാനരന്മാരെയും തടഞ്ഞു; ഭയമില്ലാതെ തന്റെ സൈന്യത്തോടുകൂടെ അവൻ പതുക്കെ പതുക്കെ പിന്മാറി.

Word by Word

• इति: thus
• इति: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उक्त्यर्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• उक्त्वा: having spoken
• उक्त्वा: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyāviśeṣaṇa/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √वच् (धातु) + क्त्वा
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), ‘having said’

• वानरश्रेष्ठः: the best of the vanaras
• वानरश्रेष्ठः: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वानर + श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative), एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (वानराणां श्रेष्ठः)

• वारयन्: restraining
• वारयन्: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वृ (धातु) (वारयति-णिच्) + शतृ
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (Present active participle), पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; ‘restraining/holding back’

• सर्ववानरान्: all the vanaras
• सर्ववानरान्: कर्म (Karma/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + वानर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative), बहुवचनम्; कर्मधारयः (सर्वे वानराः)

• शनैः: slowly
• शनैः: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शनैः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• शनैः: slowly (again)
• शनैः: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शनैः (अव्यय)
• Form: पुनरुक्ति (reduplication) द्वारा तीव्रता/क्रमः

• असन्त्रस्तः: unafraid
• असन्त्रस्तः: कर्तृविशेषण (Agent qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ + सन्त्रस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative), एकवचनम्; नञ्-समासभावः (not frightened)

• सबलः: with (his) army
• सबलः: कर्तृविशेषण (Agent qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; बहुव्रीहिः (बलं यस्य सः = with his forces)

• सन्न्यवर्तत: turned back/retreated
• सन्न्यवर्तत: क्रिया (Kriyā/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-नि-√वृत् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकारः (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person), एकवचनम्; आत्मनेपदम्

Context

Indrajith reaching Nikumbhilam, the sacrificial ground, poured oblation of blood into the sacrificial fire for Devatas and the fire blazed.

Characters & Entities

• Vanaras

FAQs

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

Dharma includes restraint and strategic discipline: courage is not recklessness; a leader must control troops and withdraw orderly when needed.

What is the narrative situation?

After issuing instructions, the Vanara leader prevents a chaotic rush and manages an organized retreat.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Composure under pressure—fearlessness combined with command and tactical prudence.