Shloka 2

राघव-रावणयोः घोर-द्वैरथ-युद्धम्

The Fierce Chariot-Duel of Rama and Ravana

Devanagari script

ततोराक्षससैन्यं च हरीणां च महद्बलम् ।प्रगृहीतप्रहरणंनिश्चेष्टंसमवर्तत ।।6.109.2।।

Transliteration

tato rākṣasa-sainyaṃ ca harīṇāṃ ca mahad balam |

pragṛhīta-praharaṇaṃ niśceṣṭaṃ samavartata ||6.109.2||

Translation

Então ambos os exércitos—os rākṣasas e a grande força dos Vānara—ficaram imóveis, com as armas já em punho, enquanto a batalha pairava à beira de um confronto decisivo.

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय

• राक्षससैन्यम्: the Rakshasa army
• राक्षससैन्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस-सैन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा (Nom.1), एकवचन (Sg.)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Connector (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• हरीणाम्: of the Vanaras
• हरीणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), षष्ठी (Gen.6), बहुवचन (Pl.)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Connector (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• महत्: great
• महत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा (Nom.1), एकवचन (Sg.); विशेषण (of बलम्)

• बलम्: force/army
• बलम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा (Nom.1), एकवचन (Sg.)

• प्रगृहीतप्रहरणम्: with weapons held ready
• प्रगृहीतप्रहरणम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रगृहीत-प्रहरण (प्रातिपदिक; प्र+√ग्रह् + क्त + प्रहरण)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा (Nom.1), एकवचन (Sg.); क्तान्त-पूर्वपद; विशेषण (of बलम्/सैन्यम्)

• निश्चेष्टम्: motionless
• निश्चेष्टम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निः-चेष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा (Nom.1), एकवचन (Sg.); विशेषण

• समवर्तत: stood/remained
• समवर्तत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+√वृत् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (Sg.), आत्मनेपद (Ātmanepada)

Context

Rama, intolerant like a snake, targeting Ravana's post, released a sharp bright glowing arrow.

Characters & Entities

• Rākṣasa army

FAQs

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

Discipline in righteous conflict: even amid violence, restraint and readiness (not chaos) reflect a regulated, dharmic conduct of war.

What is the narrative situation?

A brief battlefield pause occurs—both sides stand poised with weapons, anticipating the next major action.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective steadiness and self-control—armies maintaining formation and readiness rather than acting in panic.