Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 28

द्विचत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 42): Omens in Laṅkā, Report to Rāvaṇa, and the Kinkara Assault

Devanagari script

ते गदाभिर्विचित्राभिः परिघैः काञ्चनाङ्गदैः।आजघ्नुर्वानरश्रेष्ठं शरैश्चादित्यसन्निभैः।।5.42.28।।

Transliteration

te gadābhir vicitrābhiḥ parighaiḥ kāñcanāṅgadaiḥ | ājaghnur vānaraśreṣṭhaṃ śaraiś cādityasannibhaiḥ || 5.42.28 ||

Translation

Pinukpok nila ang pinakamainam sa mga vanara ng mga magarang gada at mga bakal na pamalo na may gintong palamuti, at tinamaan din ng mga palasong nagliliyab na tila araw.

Word by Word

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• गदाभिः: with maces
• गदाभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gadā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन)

• विचित्राभिः: variegated/wondrous
• विचित्राभिः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vicitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन); agrees with गदाभिः

• परिघैः: with iron bars/crowbars
• परिघैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parigha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन)

• काञ्चन-अङ्गदैः: with golden fittings/ornaments
• काञ्चन-अङ्गदैः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāñcana (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅgada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘kāñcanāni aṅgadāni yeṣām/with golden aṅgadas’; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन); qualifies परिघैः

• आजघ्नुः: they struck/assailed
• आजघ्नुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: han (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (लङ्) imperfect/past, Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन); with preverb ā- (आ)

• वानर-श्रेष्ठम्: the best of the monkeys (Hanuman)
• वानर-श्रेष्ठम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara (प्रातिपदिक) + śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘vānareṣu śreṣṭhaḥ’; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• शरैः: with arrows
• शरैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन)

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

• आदित्य-सन्निभैः: resembling the sun
• आदित्य-सन्निभैः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āditya (प्रातिपदिक) + sannibha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘ādityavat sannibhāḥ’; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन); qualifies शरैः

Context

They assailed Hanuman with iron maces, crow-bars edged with gold and shining arrows resembling the Sun.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān (vānaraśreṣṭha)
• Kiṅkaras (assailants)
• weapons (gadā, parigha, śara)

FAQs

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

The verse underscores that dharmic resilience is tested under assault. Dharma is not mere idealism; it is endurance and right action under pressure, especially when faced with unjust violence.

What is the narrative situation?

The Kiṅkaras begin the physical attack, showering Hanumān with heavy weapons and sun-bright arrows.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s kṣānti and bala (endurance and strength) in facing a coordinated armed assault.