Valmiki Ramayana 6.98.4 — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 98, Shloka 4
महोदरवधः
The Slaying of Mahodara
उवाच च समीपस्थंमहोदरमरिन्दमम् ।अस्मिन्कालेमहाबाहोजयाशात्वयिमेस्थिता ।।6.98.4।।
uvāca ca samīpasthaṃ mahodaram arindamam |
asmin kāle mahābāho jayāśā tvayi me sthitā ||6.98.4||
அருகில் நின்ற பகைவரை அடக்கும் மகோதரனை நோக்கி ராவணன் கூறினான்— “மஹாபாஹோ! இந்நேரத்தில் என் வெற்றிநம்பிக்கை உன்னிடமே நிலைத்துள்ளது.”
Just as a part of a huge mountain thrown down, an unassailable Mahodara, fallen on the ground, shone there like Lakshmi, just as the Sun shines by his own radiance.
FAQs
The verse highlights the king’s reliance on a warrior’s duty in wartime—expecting steadfast service and courage. It also implicitly raises the ethical tension of loyalty to an unrighteous cause versus personal duty.
In the battle at Laṅkā, Rāvaṇa addresses Mahodara directly, assigning him a decisive role and expressing that victory depends on him.
Mahodara’s expected virtue is vīrya (valor) and steadiness under command; Rāvaṇa’s focus is on strategic dependence and command in crisis.
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