Shloka 2
अक्षवधः (The Slaying of Prince Aksha)
Sundarakāṇḍa Sarga 47
स तस्य दृष्ट्यर्पणसम्प्रचोदितः प्रतापवान्काञ्चनचित्रकार्मुकः।समुत्पपाताथ सदस्युदीरितो द्विजातिमुख्यैर्हविषेव पावकः।।5.47.2।।
sa tasya dṛṣṭy-arpaṇa-sampracoditaḥ pratāpavān kāñcana-citra-kārmukaḥ | samutpapāta atha sadasy udīrito dvijāti-mukhyair haviṣeva pāvakaḥ ||5.47.2||
Udyok ng isang sulyap ni Rāvaṇa, ang maluwalhating Akṣa—may busog na maringal na inukitan at nilamnan ng ginto—ay tumalun mula sa kapulungan ng hari, gaya ng apoy na biglang sumisiklab kapag ang mga dakilang Brāhmaṇa ay nagbubuhos ng handog na havis sa banal na apoy.
Aksha, with his wonderful quiver and bow, began to rain rapidly a shower of arrows in the battle, on the mountain-like monkey-lord just as a cloud rains on a mountain.
FAQs
The verse highlights obedience to royal command and readiness for one’s duty: a prince responds instantly to the king’s signal, reflecting kṣatra-dharma (the warrior’s responsibility to act decisively in defense of the realm).
In Laṅkā’s court, Akṣa is prompted by Rāvaṇa’s glance to rise from the assembly and go forth to confront Hanumān.
Promptness and martial readiness—Akṣa’s immediate, energetic response to authority, likened to fire intensifying when properly fed.