Shloka 10

रावणवधः — The Slaying of Ravana

Brahmāstra Discharge

Devanagari script

वज्रसारंमहानादंनानासमितिदारणम् ।सर्ववित्रासनंभीमंश्वसन्तमिवपन्नगम् ।।।।

Transliteration

vajrasāraṃ mahānādaṃ nānā-samiti-dāraṇam | sarvavitrāsanaṃ bhīmaṃ śvasantam iva pannagam ||

Translation

Keras laksana vajra, mengaum dengan gegap-gempita, meremukkan pelbagai susunan perang; menggentarkan segala makhluk—mengerikan seperti ular besar yang mendesis ketika bernafas.

Word by Word

• vajra-sāram: hard as a thunderbolt
• vajra-sāram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vajra + sāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (vajra-sāra = having thunderbolt-like hardness); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• mahā-nādam: loud-roaring
• mahā-nādam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + nāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (great-sounding); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• nānā-samiti-dāraṇam: rending various battle-formations
• nānā-samiti-dāraṇam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nānā + samiti + dāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (dāraṇa of various armies/assemblies); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• sarva-vitrāsanam: terrifying all
• sarva-vitrāsanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva + vitrāsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (causing terror to all); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• bhīmam: terrible
• bhīmam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhīma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• śvasantam: hissing/breathing
• śvasantam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śvas (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ/शानच् (present participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय

• pannagam: a serpent
• pannagam: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pannaga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; उपमान

Context

Strong as thunderbolt, loud sounding, dispersing every deceitful kind of army, frightening to all kinds of beings, hissing like a serpent.

Characters & Entities

• serpent (pannaga) (simile)

FAQs

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

The verse evokes war’s terror to underline ethical gravity: dharma is not sentimental about violence; it recognizes its भय (fear) and insists it be undertaken only for righteous necessity.

What is the narrative situation?

In the advisory sequence around Mātali’s intervention, the text describes a fearsome, forceful presence in battle using powerful similes.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viveka (discernment)—the implied need to perceive danger clearly and respond with appropriate, measured action.