Shloka 23

खरवधः — The Slaying of Khara

Janasthana Battle Climax

Devanagari script

तमापतन्तं संरब्धं कृतास्त्रो रुधिराप्लुतम्।अपासर्पत्प्रतिपदं किञ्चित्वरितविक्रमः।।।।

Transliteration

tam āpatantaṃ saṃrabdhaṃ kṛtāstro rudhirāplutam | apāsarpat pratipadaṃ kiñcit tvaritavikramaḥ ||

Translation

ครั้นเห็นเขาพุ่งเข้ามาด้วยความเดือดดาล ชุ่มโชกด้วยโลหิต พระรามผู้ชำนาญศัสตราวุธก็ถอยหลังไปหนึ่งก้าว ปรับท่วงท่าอย่างฉับไว

Word by Word

• tam: him (Khara)
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• āpatantam: charging, falling upon
• āpatantam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā-√pat (धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ)
• Form: Present active participle, Masculine, Accusative, Singular; qualifying 'tam'

• saṃrabdham: enraged, agitated
• saṃrabdham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṃrabdha (प्रातिपदिक; from saṃ-√rabh)
• Form: Past participial adjective, Masculine, Accusative, Singular; qualifying 'tam'

• kṛtāstraḥ: trained/adept in weapons
• kṛtāstraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta + astra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi: kṛtāni astrāṇi yena (one who has mastered weapons); Masculine, Nominative, Singular; qualifying implied subject 'rāmaḥ'

• rudhirāplutam: drenched in blood
• rudhirāplutam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rudhira + āpluta (प्रातिपदिक; from ā-√plu)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: rudhireṇa āplutam (drenched with blood); Masculine, Accusative, Singular; qualifying 'tam'

• apāsarpat: moved aside, withdrew
• apāsarpat: Kriyā (मुख्यक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: apa-√sṛp (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• pratipadam: step by step
• pratipadam: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pratipada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Indeclinable adverbial accusative (क्रियाविशेषण; 'step by step')

• kiñcit: a little
• kiñcit: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kiñcit (अव्यय/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Indeclinable quantifier (परिमाणवाचक)

• varitavikramaḥ: one whose prowess became quickened
• varitavikramaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: varita + vikrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi: varitaḥ (tvaritaḥ/quickened) vikramaḥ yasya; Masculine, Nominative, Singular; qualifying 'rāmaḥ'

Context

Rama who was an adept in the science of arms picked up his valour quickly and moved a step back (not to give him an opportunity to strike), looking at the highly agitated Khara falling upon him, with his body fully drenched in blood.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Khara

FAQs

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

Dharma in combat includes intelligent restraint: stepping back is not cowardice but strategic control that prevents needless risk and enables a just, effective response.

What is the narrative situation?

Khara rushes at Rama in a frenzy; Rama subtly withdraws a step to manage the assault.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s tactical wisdom and composure—skill guided by judgment.