Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 38

युद्धकाण्डे द्वादशः सर्गः — रावणस्य परिषद्-सम्बोधनं कुम्भकर्णस्य नीत्युपदेशश्च

Ravana’s Council Address and Kumbhakarna’s Counsel

Devanagari script

पुनर्मांसद्वितीयेनशरेणनिहनिष्यति ।ततोऽहंतस्यपास्यामिरुधिरंकाममाश्वस ।।6.12.38।।

Transliteration

punar māṃsa-dvitīyena śareṇa nihaniṣyati | tato 'haṃ tasya pāsyāmi rudhiraṃ kāmam āśvasa || 6.12.38 ||

Translation

అతడు రెండవ బాణంతో నన్ను కొట్టేలోపే, నేను అతని రక్తాన్ని తాగుతాను; నీవు నిశ్చింతగా ఉండు, ధైర్యం తెచ్చుకో.

Word by Word

• punaḥ: again
• punaḥ: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Kāla-avyaya (adverb: again)

• mām: me
• mām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvitīyā (Accusative/2nd), Ekavacana

• dvitīyena: with the second
• dvitīyena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dvitīya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (Instrumental/3rd), Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of śareṇa

• śareṇa: with an arrow
• śareṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (Instrumental/3rd), Ekavacana

• nihaniṣyati: will strike down / kill
• nihaniṣyati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-han (धातु)
• Form: Luṭ-lakāra (Simple Future), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana, Parasmaipada

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Kāla-avyaya (then/thereupon)

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Prathamā, Ekavacana

• tasya: of him / his
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (Genitive/6th), Ekavacana

• pāsyāmi: will drink
• pāsyāmi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pā (धातु)
• Form: Luṭ-lakāra (Simple Future), Uttama-puruṣa (1st), Ekavacana, Parasmaipada

• rudhiram: blood
• rudhiram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rudhira (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Dvitīyā (Accusative/2nd), Ekavacana

• kāmam: as you like; surely
• kāmam: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kāmam (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (permission/emphasis): ‘as you please / freely’

• āśvasa: be confident / take heart
• āśvasa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śvas (धातु) + ā- (उपसर्ग)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra (Imperative), Madhyama-puruṣa (2nd), Ekavacana, Parasmaipada

Context

"By killing Rama, I will try to make you happy and victorious. On killing Rama and Lakshmana like that I will consume the Vanara leaders."

Characters & Entities

• Kumbhakarna
• Ravana
• Rama (implied archer-opponent)

FAQs

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

The Ramayana contrasts such bloodthirsty speech with dharmic warfare; righteous strength is disciplined, not savage.

What is the narrative situation?

Kumbhakarna reassures Ravana by claiming overwhelming speed and dominance over Rama.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Confidence and aggressiveness—presented as intimidation rather than restraint.