Shloka 9

अतिकायवधः

The Slaying of Atikāya

Devanagari script

तेऽतिकायंसमासाद्यवानरामूढचेतसः ।शरण्यंशरणंजग्मुर्लक्ष्मणाग्रजमाहवे ।।।।

Transliteration

te ’tikāyaṃ samāsādya vānārā mūḍhacetasaḥ | śaraṇyaṃ śaraṇaṃ jagmur lakṣmaṇāgrajam āhave ||

Translation

Ao depararem com Atikāya, os guerreiros vānara ficaram confusos; no combate buscaram refúgio em Rāma, o irmão mais velho de Lakṣmaṇa, o verdadeiro protetor.

Word by Word

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• अतिकायम्: Atikāya
• अतिकायम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अतिकाय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• समासाद्य: having approached
• समासाद्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + आ + सद् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund): ‘having approached/reached’

• वानराः: the monkeys
• वानराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वानर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• मूढचेतसः: bewildered-minded
• मूढचेतसः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मूढ + चेतस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (मूढं चेतः येषाम्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• शरण्यम्: worthy of refuge
• शरण्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शरण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण (to लक्ष्मणाग्रजम्)

• शरणम्: refuge
• शरणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• जग्मुः: went
• जग्मुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन

• लक्ष्मणाग्रजम्: the elder brother of Lakṣmaṇa (Rāma)
• लक्ष्मणाग्रजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष्मण + अग्रज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (लक्ष्मणस्य अग्रजः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• आहवे: in battle
• आहवे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आहव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), एकवचन

Context

The Vanaras were deluded on reaching the huge body and went to Sri Rama to seek refuge.

Characters & Entities

• Vānara army
• Atikāya
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa

FAQs

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

Śaraṇāgati aligned with dharma: when overwhelmed, one seeks refuge in the righteous protector rather than falling into panic or adharma-driven actions.

What is the narrative situation?

The Vānara troops, shaken by Atikāya’s formidable presence, turn to Rāma in the midst of battle for protection and guidance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s role as śaraṇya (worthy refuge): dependable leadership and protective righteousness that others can trust.