Shloka 20

अतिकायवधः

The Slaying of Atikāya

Devanagari script

विंशतिर्दशचाष्टौ च तूण्योऽस्यरथमास्थिताः ।कार्मुकानि च भीमानिज्याश्चकाञ्चनपिङ्गळाः ।।।।

Transliteration

viṃśatir daśa cāṣṭau ca tūṇyo 'sya ratham āsthitāḥ | kārmukāni ca bhīmāni jyāś ca kāñcanapiṅgalāḥ ||

Translation

บนราชรถของเขาจัดวางแล่งธนูยี่สิบแล่ง ธนูอันน่าสะพรึงสิบคัน และสายธนูแปดเส้น สีเหลืองทองดุจทองคำ

Word by Word

• द्वौ: two
• द्वौ: कर्ता-विशेषण (Numeral qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्यावाचक; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; विशेषण (खडगौ)

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• खडगौ: swords
• खडगौ: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खड्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

• रथ-गतौ: placed on the chariot
• रथ-गतौ: कर्ता-विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक) + गत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; विशेषण (खडगौ)

• पार्श्व-स्थौ: standing at the sides
• पार्श्व-स्थौ: कर्ता-विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पार्श्व (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; विशेषण

• पार्श्व-शोभितौ: adorning the sides
• पार्श्व-शोभितौ: कर्ता-विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पार्श्व (प्रातिपदिक) + शोभित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; कृदन्त (क्त from शोभ्); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; विशेषण

• चतुर्-हस्त-त्सरु-युतौ: with hilts of four cubits
• चतुर्-हस्त-त्सरु-युतौ: कर्ता-विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् (प्रातिपदिक) + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक) + त्सरु/त्सरु (प्रातिपदिक) + युत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; विशेषण; परिमाण-निर्देश (four-cubit hilt-equipped)

• व्यक्त-हस्त-दश-आयतौ: ten cubits long
• व्यक्त-हस्त-दश-आयतौ: कर्ता-विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: व्यक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक) + दश (प्रातिपदिक) + आयत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; विशेषण; परिमाण-निर्देश (ten cubits long, clearly measured)

Context

Highly energetic Atikaya, who was like a mountain in form, had huge body, obtained boons from Brahma, subdued the pride of Devas and Danavas, was equal to Indra in valour. Seeing his own army of Rakshasas that caused horripilation, uncles who were bulls among Rakshasas struck down in the battlefield and his own brothers Yuddhotama (Mahodara) and Matta (Mahaparsva) struck down, he flew in rage.

Characters & Entities

• Atikāya (implied)
• quivers (tūṇī/tūṇyaḥ)
• bows (kārmuka)
• chariot (ratha)

FAQs

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

Dharma implies proportional preparedness: the scale of armament signals the gravity of conflict, reminding leaders to act responsibly to protect lives and uphold truth, not for mere display of force.

What is the narrative situation?

The text enumerates the enemy champion’s equipment, emphasizing extraordinary readiness and the intensity of the coming engagement.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vigilance—careful attention to an opponent’s resources so that one’s response remains strategic and dharmically grounded.