Shloka 27

खररामयुद्धम् — The Battle of Khara and Rama

Aranya Kanda, Sarga 28

Devanagari script

शिरस्येकेन बाणेन द्वाभ्यां बह्वोरथार्दयत्।त्रिभिश्चन्द्रार्धवक्त्रैश्च वक्षस्यभिजघान ह।।।।

Transliteration

śirasy ekena bāṇena dvābhyāṃ bāhvor athārdayat |

tribhiś candrārdha-vaktraiś ca vakṣasy abhijaghāna ha ||

Translation

ด้วยศรดอกเดียวทรงยิงถูกศีรษะ ด้วยสองดอกทรงกระหน่ำที่บ่าทั้งสอง และด้วยศรสามดอกปลายโค้งดุจเสี้ยวจันทร์ทรงประทับอกอย่างแรงกล้า

Word by Word

• śirasi: on the head
• śirasi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Saptamī, Ekavacana

• ekena: with one
• ekena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक/संख्या)
• Form: Puṃliṅga/napuṃsaka, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; modifies bāṇena

• bāṇena: with an arrow
• bāṇena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana

• dvābhyām: with two
• dvābhyām: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dvi (प्रातिपदिक/संख्या)
• Form: Numeral, Tṛtīyā, Dvivacana (द्विवचन); modifies (understood) bāṇābhyām

• bahvoḥ: on the two arms
• bahvoḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī, Dvivacana

• atha: then/and
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction/particle

• ārdayat: struck/afflicted
• ārdayat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√ṛd (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (लङ्), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• tribhiḥ: with three
• tribhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक/संख्या)
• Form: Numeral, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; modifies (understood) bāṇaiḥ

• candrārdha-vaktraiḥ: with crescent-shaped (heads)
• candrārdha-vaktraiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: candra (प्रातिपदिक) + ardha (प्रातिपदिक) + vaktra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa; adjective to (understood) bāṇaiḥ 'with crescent-faced (moon-half-shaped) [arrows]'

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction

• vakṣasi: on the chest
• vakṣasi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vakṣas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Saptamī, Ekavacana

• abhijaghāna: struck
• abhijaghāna: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-√han (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्, perfect), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• ha: indeed
• ha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ha (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, emphatic particle (निपात)

Context

Rama hit one arrow on the head, two on the shoulders and three of the shape of the crescent moon on the chest (of the enemy).

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Khara

FAQs

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

The verse reflects warrior-dharma as controlled, purposeful engagement—demonstrating that power should be directed with skill rather than indiscriminate harm.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama’s volley lands in a structured sequence, injuring key parts of Khara’s body.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s martial excellence (śaurya and kauśala): precision, timing, and effectiveness.