Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 60, Shloka 29
कुम्भकर्णविबोधनम्
The Awakening of Kumbhakarna
ऊर्ध्वरोमाञ्चिततनुंश्वसन्तमिवपन्नगम् ।भ्रामयन्तम् न्विश्श्वसैःशयानम् भीमविदर्शमम् ।।6.60.27।।भीमनासापुटंतंतुपातालोविपुलाननम् ।शयनेन्यस्तसर्वाङ्गंमेदोरुधिरगन्धिनम् ।।6.60.28।।काञ्चनाङ्गदनद्धाङ्गंकिरीटिनमरिन्दमम् ।ददृशुर्नैरृतव्याघ्रंकुम्भकर्णमरिन्दमम् ।।6.60.29।।
kāñcanāṅgada-naddhāṅgaṁ kirīṭinam arindamam |
dadṛśur nairṛta-vyāghraṁ kumbhakarṇam arindamam ||6.60.29||
काञ्चनाङ्गदनद्धाङ्गं किरीटिनमरिन्दमं नैरृतव्याघ्रं कुम्भकर्णमरिन्दमं ते ददृशुः।
The Rakshasas saw Kumbhakarna, destroyer of enemies, the tiger of the southwest, tamer of foes, with his body fully covered with bristling hair, breathing heavily like a serpent with horrible nostrils, turning back with facemouth as vast as underworld all limbs stretched out, emitting smell of fat and blood, arms adorned with gold bracelets, wearing a crown, and sleeping.
FAQs
The verse shows how worldly glory (ornaments, crown, epithets) can accompany destructive power. Dharma teaching: honor without righteousness is unstable; true greatness is measured by alignment with satya and protection of the innocent.
Kumbhakarṇa is presented as Laṅkā’s formidable champion, being readied to confront Rāma’s forces.
A thematic foil: external majesty and martial reputation are highlighted, prompting reflection that dharmic virtue must govern strength.
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