Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 91, Shloka 66

इन्द्रजित्-वधः

The Slaying of Indrajit

Devanagari script

अथान्यंमार्गणश्रेष्ठंसन्दधेराघवानुजः ।हुताशनसमस्पर्शंरावणात्मजदारणम् ।।।।

Transliteration

athānyaṃ mārgaṇaśreṣṭhaṃ sandadhe rāghavānujaḥ |

hutāśanasamasparśaṃ rāvaṇātmajadhāraṇam ||6.91.66||

Translation

Тогда младший брат Рагхавы наложил другую, превосходнейшую стрелу — жгучую на ощупь, как огонь, способную рассечь сына Раваны.

Word by Word

• atha: then
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/सम्बन्धसूचक (particle: ‘then/now’)

• anyam: another
• anyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया एकवचन (Acc. sg); ‘mārgaṇaśreṣṭham’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• mārgaṇa-śreṣṭham: the best arrow
• mārgaṇa-śreṣṭham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mārgaṇa + śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया एकवचन (Acc. sg); तत्पुरुष: ‘best of arrows’

• sandadhe: fixed / fitted (on the bow)
• sandadhe: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√dhā (दधाति) (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष एकवचन (3rd sg)

• rāghava-anujaḥ: Raghava's younger brother (Lakshmana)
• rāghava-anujaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāghava + anuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा एकवचन (Nom. sg); तत्पुरुष: ‘younger brother of Rāghava’

• hutāśana-sama-sparśam: having a touch like fire
• hutāśana-sama-sparśam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hutāśana + sama + sparśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया एकवचन (Acc. sg); बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: ‘having touch like fire’

• rāvaṇa-ātmaja-dāraṇam: capable of tearing Ravana's son (Indrajit)
• rāvaṇa-ātmaja-dāraṇam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rāvaṇa + ātmaja + dāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया एकवचन (Acc. sg); तत्पुरुष: ‘capable of tearing Rāvaṇa’s son’

Context

The Rsis, Devatas, manes, Gandharvas, Garudas, serpents and Indra who had performed hundred sacrifices, protected Lakshmana in war.

Characters & Entities

• Lakshmaṇa (Rāghavānuja)
• Rāvaṇa
• Indrajit (Rāvaṇātmaja)
• arrow (mārgaṇa)
• hutāśana (fire)

FAQs

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

Kṣātra-dharma (warrior duty) includes protecting the righteous cause through decisive action when necessary. The verse presents controlled force aimed at stopping a dangerous aggressor, not indiscriminate violence.

What is the narrative situation?

After repelling destructive missiles, Lakshmaṇa prepares a powerful, fire-like arrow intended to break Indrajit’s momentum in the duel.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Resolve with discipline—Lakshmaṇa’s strength is purposeful and directed, aligned with duty rather than rage.