Shloka 85

दुन्दुभिवधप्रसङ्गः

The Dundubhi Episode and the Proof of Rama’s Prowess

Devanagari script

एवमुक्त्वा तु सुग्रीवं सान्त्वं लक्ष्मणपूर्वजः।राघवो दुन्दुभेः कायं पादाङ्गुष्ठेन लीलया4.11.84।।तोलयित्वा महाबाहुश्चिक्षेप दशयोजनम्।असुरस्य तनुं शुष्कं पादाङ्गुष्ठेन वीर्यवान्4.11.85।।

Transliteration

evam uktvā tu sugrīvaṁ sāntvaṁ lakṣmaṇa-pūrvajaḥ |

rāghavo dundubheḥ kāyaṁ pādāṅguṣṭhena līlayā ||

tolayitvā mahā-bāhuś cikṣepa daśa-yojanam |

asurasya tanuṁ śuṣkaṁ pādāṅguṣṭhena vīryavān ||

Translation

अशा प्रकारे सुग्रीवाला आश्वासन देऊन लक्ष्मणाचा अग्रज महाबाहू राघवाने असुर दुन्दुभीचे कोरडे शरीर पायाच्या अंगठ्याने सहज उचलून दहा योजन दूर भिरकावले।

Word by Word

• तोलयित्वा: having lifted
• तोलयित्वा: पूर्वकालक्रिया (prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तोलय् (धातु; √तुल् + णिच्)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund) अव्ययभावः; √तुल् (तुल्-परिमाणे) + णिच् (causative) → तोलय्; अर्थः ‘उत्तोल्य/उत्थाप्य’ (having lifted)

• महाबाहुः: the long-armed one
• महाबाहुः: कर्ता (agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + बाहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; एकवचनम् (nominative singular masculine); कर्मधारय-समासः ‘महान् बाहुः यस्य सः’ (as an epithet)

• चिक्षेप: flung / threw
• चिक्षेप: क्रिया (main action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्षिप् (धातु; √क्षिप्)
• Form: लिट्-लकारः (perfect); परस्मैपदम्; प्रथम-पुरुषः; एकवचनम्; √क्षिप् (क्षेपणे)

• दशयोजनम्: (a distance of) ten yojanas
• दशयोजनम्: परिमाण/अधिकरण-विशेषणम् (extent/measure of the action)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दश + योजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचनम् (accusative singular neuter); द्विगु-समासः (संख्यापूर्वकः) ‘दश योजने’ = ten yojanas (as a measure of distance)

• असुरस्य: of the demon
• असुरस्य: सम्बन्ध (genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति; एकवचनम् (genitive singular masculine)

• तनुम्: body
• तनुम्: कर्म (object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचनम् (accusative singular feminine)

• शुष्कम्: dried / withered
• शुष्कम्: कर्म-विशेषणम् (qualifier of the object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुष्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचनम् (accusative singular feminine); विशेषणम्—‘तनुम्’ इति विशेष्यस्य

• पादाङ्गुष्ठेन: with (his) toe
• पादाङ्गुष्ठेन: करण (instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद + अङ्गुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति; एकवचनम् (instrumental singular masculine); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘पादस्य अङ्गुष्ठः’ (toe)

• वीर्यवान्: mighty / powerful
• वीर्यवान्: कर्ता-विशेषणम् (qualifier of the agent)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीर्यवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; एकवचनम् (nominative singular masculine); विशेषणम्—‘महाबाहुः’ (कर्ता) इति विशेष्यस्य

Context

Rama,the mighty elder brother of Lakshmana, having said so to Sugriva in a pleasing manner, lifted the dried body of Dundubhi easily with his toe, shook it and flung it with ease to a distance of ten yojanas.

Characters & Entities

• Rama (Raghava)
• Lakshmana
• Sugriva
• Dundubhi

FAQs

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

Dharma here is expressed as rightful assurance before action: Rama does not demand trust blindly; he demonstrates capability to support a just alliance and the promised protection.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama, to reassure Sugriva about his ability to face Vali, lifts Dundubhi’s dried corpse with his toe and throws it far, offering a visible sign of strength.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s vīrya (valour and power) joined with composure—strength displayed without arrogance, aimed at stabilizing trust and fulfilling a righteous objective.