Valmiki Ramayana 6.71.29 — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 71, Shloka 29
अतिकायवधः
The Slaying of Atikāya
अश्वपृष्ठेरथेनागेखडगेधनुषिकर्षणे ।भेदेसान्त्वे च दाने च नयेमन्त्रे च सम्मतः ।।।।
aśvapṛṣṭhe rathe nāge khaḍge dhanuṣi karṣaṇe | bhede sāntve ca dāne ca naye mantre ca sammataḥ ||
Baginda dipandang mulia sebagai mahir menunggang kuda, mengemudi rata dan gajah perang; cekap dengan pedang dan busur; serta arif dalam memecah-belah, memujuk damai, memberi anugerah, siasah dan musyawarah.
"He is best in riding on horseback, on elephant back and in the use of sword and bow. He is capable of sowing dissension, making peace, giving charity and statecraft."
FAQs
The tools of nīti (policy)—conciliation, gifts, even division—must be governed by Dharma; otherwise statecraft becomes manipulation in service of adharma.
Vibhishana enumerates the opponent’s comprehensive skills in warfare and political strategy.
Competence and versatility (dakṣatā) are emphasized—both martial and diplomatic—highlighting the seriousness of the threat Rama faces.
Ask anything about this verse
Curious about the meaning, context, or a word? Ask, and continue the conversation in the Vedapath app.
A free Google sign-in keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Valmiki Ramayana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.