Shloka 157

कुम्भकर्णवधः

The Slaying of Kumbhakarna

Devanagari script

वायव्यमादायततोमहास्त्रंरामःप्रचिक्षेपनिशाचराय ।समुद्गरंतेनजघानबाहुं स कृत्तबाहुस्तुमुलंनाद ।।।।

Transliteration

vāyavyam ādāya tato mahāstraṃ rāmaḥ pracikṣepa niśācarāya | sa mudgaraṃ tena jaghāna bāhuṃ sa kṛttabāhus tumulaṃ nāda ||

Translation

ครั้นนั้น พระรามทรงหยิบมหาศัสตราวายุวยะ แล้วขว้างใส่ศัตรูผู้ท่องราตรี; ด้วยศัสตรานั้นทรงฟันแขนที่กำกระบองขาดสะบั้น และกุมภกรรณ—เมื่อแขนถูกตัด—กู่คำรามกึกก้องน่าสะพรึง

Word by Word

vāyavyamof Vāyu (wind)

ādāyahaving taken

tataḥthen

mahāstramgreat weapon

rāmaḥRāma

pracikṣepahurled

niśācarāyaat the night-ranger (rākṣasa)

samudgaramwith the mace

tenawith that

jaghānastruck

bāhumarm

saḥhe

kṛtta-bāhuḥwhose arm was cut off

tumulamloud

nādaroared

Context

Thereupon taking up the weapon of Wind God, Rama discharged on the night ranger and severed his right arm with the mace. His arm torn off, Kumbhakarna made uproarious noise.

Characters & Entities

Rāma

Kumbhakarṇa

Vāyu

Mudgara (club)

FAQs

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

Dharma in battle includes proportionate, skillful response to protect one’s army and uphold a just cause; Rāma acts decisively to stop mass harm.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma counters Kumbhakarṇa’s rampage by deploying the Vāyavya astra and severing the arm holding the club.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s śaurya (valor) joined with viveka (strategic discernment): he targets the immediate source of destruction.