Shloka 2

रामरावणयोर्युद्धवैषम्यं तथा रावणशिरश्छेदनम्

Rama–Ravana Duel Intensifies; Ravana’s Heads Severed and Reappear

Devanagari script

अर्धयन्तौतुसमरेतयोस्तौस्यन्दनोत्तमौ ।परस्परमभिक्रुद्धौपरस्परमभिद्रुतौ ।।।।

Transliteration

ardhayantau tu samare tayos tau syandanottamau |

parasparam abhikruddhau parasparam abhidrुतau ||

Translation

ในศึกนั้น รถศึกอันประเสริฐของนักรบทั้งสองเคลื่อนเข้าประชิดกัน ทั้งสองผู้กล้าพิโรธนัก ขับพุ่งตรงเข้าหากันด้วยใจแน่วแน่

Word by Word

• परस्परवधे: in mutual slaying
• परस्परवधे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paraspara + vadha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘of each other’ + ‘killing’), Masculine, Locative (7th), Singular

• युक्तौ: engaged
• युक्तौ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yukta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adjectival use, Masculine, Nominative, Dual; ‘engaged/intent’

• घोररूपौ: terrible-looking
• घोररूपौ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ghora + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya (‘terrible in form’), Masculine, Nominative, Dual; qualifies ‘तौ’ (understood)

• बभूवतुः: became/were
• बभूवतुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd Person, Dual, Parasmaipada

• मण्डलानि: circles/turns
• मण्डलानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maṇḍala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Plural

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• वीधीः: maneuvers/feats
• वीधीः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vīdhī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Plural

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• गतप्रत्यागतानि: advancing and retreating
• गतप्रत्यागतानि: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gata + pratyāgata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva (समाहार: ‘going and returning’), Neuter, Accusative, Plural; qualifies ‘मण्डलानि/वीधीः’ (maneuvers)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• दर्शयन्तौ: displaying
• दर्शयन्तौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Causative present active participle (णिच् + शतृ), Nominative, Dual, Masculine; ‘showing/displaying’

• बहुविधाम्: various
• बहुविधाम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahuvidha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adjectival use, Feminine, Accusative, Singular; qualifies ‘गतिम्’

• सूतसामर्थ्यजाम्: arising from charioteer-skill
• सूतसामर्थ्यजाम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūta + sāmarthya + ja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (समास: ‘charioteer’ + ‘skill’ + ‘born from’), Feminine, Accusative, Singular; qualifies ‘गतिम्’

• गतिम्: movement/course
• गतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

Context

The ten headed Ravana with his thunderbolt like hands hurled arrows and struck the charioteer of Rama, making sounds like thunder.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (implied as Rāghava)
• Rāvaṇa (implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is seen as steadfastness in a righteous duty: the battle is approached with resolve and directness, not deceit, reflecting the ideal of confronting adharma openly.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma and Rāvaṇa (each on a chariot) close in on one another, the duel escalating into direct engagement.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Determination (dhairya/utsāha) and unwavering commitment to one’s chosen course—especially in a high-stakes dharmic conflict.