Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 44, Shloka 1
जम्बुमालिवधः
The Slaying of Jambumali
सन्दिष्टो राक्षसेन्द्रेण प्रहस्तस्य सुतो बली।जम्बुमाली महादंष्ट्रो निर्जगाम धनुर्धरः।।।।रक्तमाल्याम्बरधरस्स्रग्वी रुचिरकुण्डलः।महान्विवृत्तनयनश्चण्डस्समरदुर्जयः।।।।धनुश्शक्रधनुः प्रख्यं महद्रुचिरसायकम्।विष्फारयाणो वेगेन वज्राशनिसमस्वनम्।।।।
sandiṣṭo rākṣasendreṇa prahastasya suto balī |
jambumālī mahādaṁṣṭro nirjagāma dhanurdharaḥ ||
raktamālyāmbaradharaḥ sragvī rucirakuṇḍalaḥ |
mahān vivṛttanayanaś caṇḍaḥ samaradurjayaḥ ||
dhanuḥ śakradhanuḥprakhyaṁ mahad rucirasāyakam |
viṣphārayāṇo vegena vajrāśanisamasvanam ||
राक्षसराजाच्या आज्ञेने प्रहस्ताचा बलवान पुत्र जंबुमाली—महादंष्ट्र, धनुर्धर—बाहेर आला. तो रक्तमाळा व रक्तवस्त्रे धारण करणारा, स्रग्वी, रुचिर कुंडलांनी विभूषित, विशालदेही, गोल नेत्रांचा, उग्र आणि रणात दुर्जय होता. इंद्रधनुष्याप्रमाणे धनुष्य त्याने वेगाने टणकारले; त्याचा नाद वज्र व विजेसारखा घनघोर झाला, आणि त्याचे बाण महान व तेजस्वी होते।
Commanded by the demon king, Jambumali the invincible son of Prahasta, who had large teeth in front, big rolling eyes, red flower garland, red robes and a chaplet with beautiful earrings. He went round twanging his producing thunderous sound. His arrows were huge, shining and beautiful.
FAQs
The verse sets the stage for dharma versus adharma: the tyrant’s command sends warriors to uphold wrongful power, highlighting how might without righteousness becomes mere intimidation.
Rāvaṇa (implied as rākṣasa-king) dispatches Jambumālī, who emerges fully armed and terrifying, ready to confront Hanumān.
From the antagonist’s side, śaurya (martial prowess) is emphasized, but framed as serving an adharmic command structure.