Shloka 26

खररामयुद्धम् — The Battle of Khara and Rama

Aranya Kanda, Sarga 28

Devanagari script

स धनुर्धन्विनां श्रेष्ठः प्रगृह्य परमाहवे।मुमोच परमेष्वासष्षट्छरानभिलक्षितान्।।।।

Transliteration

sa dhanur dhanvināṃ śreṣṭhaḥ pragṛhya paramāhave |

mumoca parameṣvāsaḥ ṣaṭ charān abhilakṣitān ||

Translation

แล้วพระองค์—ผู้เลิศที่สุดในหมู่นักธนู ผู้ทรงศรอันยิ่ง—ทรงยกคันธนูขึ้นในศึกใหญ่ เล็งหมาย แล้วปล่อยศรหกดอกที่มุ่งตรงเป้าหมาย

Word by Word

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• dhanuḥ: bow
• dhanuḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• dhanvinām: of archers
• dhanvinām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanvin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Bahuvacana

• śreṣṭhaḥ: best
• śreṣṭhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; superlative adjective to saḥ (Rama)

• pragṛhya: having taken up
• pragṛhya: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pra-√grah (धातु) + lyap (ल्यप्)
• Form: Gerund/absolutive (ल्यपन्त), avyaya usage; 'having grasped'

• parama-āhave: in the great battle
• parama-āhave: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + āhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī, Ekavacana; karmadhāraya 'great battle'

• mumoca: released
• mumoca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √muc (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्, perfect), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• parameṣvāsaḥ: the supreme archer
• parameṣvāsaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + iṣvāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; karmadhāraya 'supreme archer' (epithet of Rama)

• ṣaṭ: six
• ṣaṭ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṣaṭ (प्रातिपदिक/संख्या)
• Form: Numeral, indeclinable-like in form; modifies śarān

• śarān: arrows
• śarān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana

• abhilakṣitān: well-aimed/targeted
• abhilakṣitān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi-√lakṣ (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Kta-participle, Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana; adjective to śarān

Context

The best among archers and a supreme shooter, he lifted the bow, fixed his target and released six arrows in the great fight.

Characters & Entities

• Rama

FAQs

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

Dharma in battle includes composure and precision—force is applied with discernment (aiming clearly), not as uncontrolled retaliation.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama regains initiative and begins a measured counterattack by releasing six aimed arrows.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Skill joined with restraint: Rama’s mastery of archery and capacity to act deliberately even when provoked.