Shloka 15

वज्रदंष्ट्रवधः — The Slaying of Vajradaṃṣṭra

Angada’s Duel

Devanagari script

त्रस्ताःसर्वेहरिगणाःशरैःसङ्कृत्तकन्दरा:।। 6.54.15।।अङ्गदंसम्प्रधावन्तिप्रजापतिमिवप्रजाः ।

Transliteration

trastāḥ sarve harigaṇāḥ śaraiḥ saṅkṛttakandarāḥ ||6.54.15||

aṅgadaṃ sampradhāvanti prajāpatim iva prajāḥ |

Translation

วานรทั้งหลายต่างหวาดกลัว ร่างกายถูกตัดและฉีกขาดด้วยลูกธนู ต่างวิ่งไปหาองคตเพื่อขอความคุ้มครอง ประดุจเหล่าสัตว์โลกที่รีบเร่งไปหาพระประชาบดี

Word by Word

• trastāḥ: frightened
• trastāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: trasta (कृदन्त; √tras धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त), ‘भयभीत’

• sarve: all
• sarve: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; सर्व-शब्द

• harigaṇāḥ: troops of monkeys (vanaras)
• harigaṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (‘हरिणां गणाः’)

• śaraiḥ: with arrows
• śaraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• saṅkṛtta-kandarāḥ: with necks/shoulder-hollows cut (mutilated)
• saṅkṛtta-kandarāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṅkṛtta (कृदन्त; √kṛt/√kart धातु) + kandarā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (‘सङ्कृत्ता कन्दराः येषाम्/येषां ते’)—अर्थतः ‘कन्दराः (ग्रीवा-प्रदेशाः) छिन्नाः’

• aṅgadam: Angada
• aṅgadam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṅgada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• sampradhāvanti: run towards / rush to
• sampradhāvanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-pra-√dhāv (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• prajāpatim: the Lord of creatures (Brahmā)
• prajāpatim: Upamāna/Upameya (उपमान-सम्बन्ध; तुल्ययोग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajāpati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• iva: like
• iva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय (particle of comparison)

• prajāḥ: subjects/people
• prajāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

Context

Struck by monkeys the Rakshasas were in fear. Seeing the Rakshasas Vajraddamshtra's eyes turned red in anger with bow in hand penetrating the Vanara troops terrifying them.

Characters & Entities

• Aṅgada
• Prajāpati

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as protective leadership: in crisis, the community seeks shelter in a righteous and capable protector; the simile to Prajāpati frames Aṅgada as a guardian figure responsible for the welfare of his followers.

What is the narrative situation?

After Vajradaṃṣṭra’s fierce arrow-attack, the wounded and frightened vānaras retreat and cluster around Aṅgada for safety and guidance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Aṅgada’s role as a dependable leader and refuge—steadiness that draws others in moments of fear.