Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 104, Shloka 29

रावणशूलप्रक्षेपः

Ravana Hurls the Trident; Rama Counters with Indra’s Javelin

Devanagari script

निर्भिभेदततोबाणैर्हयानस्यमहाजवान् ।रामस्त्रीक्ष्णैर्महावेगैर्भाणवद्भिरजिह्मगैः ।।।।

Transliteration

nirbhibheda tato bāṇair hayān asya mahājavān |

rāmas tīkṣṇair mahāvegair bāṇavadbhir ajihmagaiḥ ||

Translation

అప్పుడు రాముడు పదునైన, మహావేగంతో సూటిగా దూసుకెళ్లే—బాణవృష్టిలా పడే—శరాలతో అతని మహాజవమైన గుర్రాలను ఛేదించాడు।

Word by Word

• nirbhibheda: shattered/pierced through
• nirbhibheda: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir-√bhid (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, काल/अनन्तर-वाचक (adverb of sequence)

• bāṇaiḥ: with arrows
• bāṇaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; करण

• hayān: horses
• hayān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: haya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• asya: of him/of this (one)
• asya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; हयान् सम्बन्ध

• mahā-javān: very swift
• mahā-javān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + java (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (महान् जवः यस्य), पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; हयान् विशेषयति

• rāmaḥ: Rama
• rāmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• tīkṣṇaiḥ: sharp
• tīkṣṇaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tīkṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; बाणैः विशेषण

• mahā-vegaiḥ: of great speed
• mahā-vegaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + vega (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (महान् वेगः येषाम्), पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; बाणैः विशेषण

• bhāṇavatbhiḥ: shining
• bhāṇavatbhiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhāṇavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; बाणैः विशेषण (भाणवत् = भास्वर/दीप्तिमत्)

• ajihmagaiḥ: straight (not crooked-going)
• ajihmagaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- (नञ्) + jihmaga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नञ्-तत्पुरुष (न जिह्मगाः), पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; बाणैः विशेषण

Context

Rama became highly furious, most dreadful sounds were rising up and all beings were frightened. Ravana was also afraid.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Rāvaṇa
• arrows (bāṇa)
• horses (haya)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is expressed as disciplined, effective action in a just war: Rāma’s force is precise and purposeful, directed toward ending adharma rather than indulging in cruelty.

What is the narrative situation?

In the midst of the duel, Rāma disables Rāvaṇa’s mobility by striking down the horses with a rapid, accurate volley.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Skill guided by restraint—martial excellence (śaurya) combined with focus and control.