Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 9

षोडशः सर्गः (Sarga 16): Hanumān’s Recognition of Sītā and Renewed Lament

Devanagari script

चतुर्दश सहस्राणि रक्षसां भीमकर्मणाम्।निहतानि जनस्थाने शरैरग्निशिखोपमैः।।5.16.9।।

Transliteration

caturdaśa sahasrāṇi rakṣasāṃ bhīmakarmaṇām |

nihatāni janasthāne śarair agniśikhopamaiḥ ||5.16.9||

Translation

ณ ชนสถานะ เหล่ารากษสผู้กระทำการอันน่าสะพรึงกลัวจำนวนหนึ่งหมื่นสี่พัน ถูกสังหารด้วยศรดุจเปลวเพลิง

Word by Word

• चतुर्दश: fourteen
• चतुर्दश: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर्दश (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्यावाचक-विशेषणम्; नपुंसकलिङ्गे (सहस्राणि इति) प्रथमा/द्वितीया बहुवचन-समर्थ (indeclinable-like numeral usage)

• सहस्राणि: thousands
• सहस्राणि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• रक्षसाम्: of demons
• रक्षसाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

• भीमकर्मणाम्: of dreadful deeds
• भीमकर्मणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भीम-कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक; घटकाः: भीम + कर्मन्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (रक्षसाम्)

• निहतानि: were slain
• निहतानि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-हन् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त PPP, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सहस्राणि इति सह अन्वयः

• जनस्थाने: at Janasthana
• जनस्थाने: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जनस्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• शरैः: with arrows
• शरैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• अग्निशिखोपमैः: like flames of fire
• अग्निशिखोपमैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अग्नि-शिखा-उपम (प्रातिपदिक; घटकाः: अग्नि + शिखा + उपम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (शरैः)

Characters & Entities

• Janasthāna
• Rākṣasas
• Rāma (implied agent in context)

FAQs

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

Dharma is the decisive curbing of adharma: violent aggressors who terrorize others are removed, restoring safety and moral balance.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān cites the scale of Rāma’s earlier victories to reassure Sītā that rescue from Laṅkā is within Rāma’s power.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s righteous might and effectiveness: his power is portrayed as purifying and unstoppable, like fire.