Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 77, Shloka 16
निकुम्भवधः — The Slaying of Nikumbha
Hanuman’s Duel
ततःपुस्फोटचर्मास्यप्रसुस्राव च शोणितम् ।।।।मुष्टिनातेनसञ्जज्ञेमेघेविद्युदिवोत्थिता ।
tataḥ pusphoṭa carmāsya prasusrāva ca śoṇitam |
muṣṭinā tena sañjajñe meghe vidyud ivotthitā ||
ततः अस्य चर्म पुस्फोट, शोणितं च प्रसुस्राव। तेन मुष्टिप्रहारेण मेघे विद्युदिवोत्थिता॥
By that blow, Nikumbha was not moved. Recovering from that he caught hold of Hanuman of extraordinary strength.
FAQs
The verse underscores karmic consequence within battle: harmful intent meets an answering force; dharma protects its agents while adharma brings suffering.
Hanumān’s punch wounds Nikumbha; blood flows and is poetically compared to lightning in a cloud.
Pratāpa (overwhelming might): Hanumān’s strength is depicted as swift and impactful.