Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 44, Shloka 10

चतुश्चत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 44): निशायुद्धम्, धूलिरुधिरप्रवाहः, इन्द्रजितो मायायुद्धम्

Devanagari script

तुरङ्गखुरविध्वस्तंरथनेमिसमुत्थितम् ।।।।रुरोधकर्णनेत्राणियुध्यतांधरणीरजः ।

Transliteration

turaṅgakhuravidhvastaṃ rathanemisamutthitam |

rurodha karṇanetrāṇi yudhyatāṃ dharaṇīrajaḥ ||6.44.10||

Translation

Ang alikabok ng lupa—dinurog ng mga kuko ng kabayo at inikot ng mga gulong ng karwahe—ay umalimbukay at bumara sa mga tainga at mata ng mga mandirigma.

Word by Word

• तुरङ्गखुरविध्वस्तम्: crushed by horses' hooves
• तुरङ्गखुरविध्वस्तम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुरङ्ग + खुर + विध्वस्त (कृदन्त, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (तुरङ्गखुरैः विध्वस्तम्), भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा, एकवचन (Neuter, Acc/Nom, Singular)

• रथनेमिसमुत्थितम्: raised by chariot-wheels
• रथनेमिसमुत्थितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रथ + नेमि + समुत्थित (कृदन्त, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (रथनेमिभ्यः समुत्थितम्), भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा, एकवचन (Neuter, Acc/Nom, Singular)

• रुरोध: blocked, filled up
• रुरोध: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रुध् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद (3rd person singular, Perfect)

• कर्णनेत्राणि: ears and eyes
• कर्णनेत्राणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्ण + नेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व (कर्णाणि च नेत्राणि च), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन (Neuter, Accusative, Plural)

• युध्यताम्: of those fighting
• युध्यताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: युध् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, वर्तमानकाले; शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त-भावे (युध्यमानानाम् इत्यर्थे) षष्ठी-बहुवचन (Present participial sense; Genitive Plural of those fighting)

• धरणीरजः: dust of the earth
• धरणीरजः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धरणी + रजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (धरण्याः रजः), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Neuter, Nominative, Singular)

Context

Then the dust rose from the ground pulverised the horses' hooves and crushed by the chariot wheels, filling the ears and eyes of those in war.

Characters & Entities

• Horses
• Chariots

FAQs

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

Dharma is tested when perception is impaired: the verse highlights how confusion arises in conflict, implying the need for discipline and clear command so righteousness is not lost in blindness and panic.

What is the narrative situation?

The battle grows so intense that dust clouds, stirred by hooves and wheels, obstruct the combatants’ senses.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness under adversity: warriors must maintain composure and right conduct even when visibility and clarity are compromised.