Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 25

युद्धकाण्डे त्रिपञ्चाशः सर्गः — धूम्राक्षवधश्रवणं, वज्रदंष्ट्रप्रेषणं, अङ्गद-राक्षसयुद्धम्

Ravana Dispatches Vajradamshtra; Portents and Angada’s Assault

Devanagari script

वज्रदंष्ट्रोभृशंबाणै: रणेवित्रासयन्हरीन् ।चचारलोकसंहारेपाशहस्तइवान्तकः ।।।।

Transliteration

vajradaṃṣṭro bhṛśaṃ bāṇaiḥ raṇe vitrāsayan harīn |

cacāra lokasaṃhāre pāśahasta ivāntakaḥ ||

Translation

Si Vajradamstra ay gumala sa larangan ng digmaan, marahas na inaatake ang mga Vanara gamit ang mga palaso—tulad ni Kamatayan mismo, na may hawak na silo, na kumikilos sa panahon ng paggunaw ng mundo.

Word by Word

• बलवन्तः: mighty
• बलवन्तः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: balavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (masc nom pl)

• अस्त्रविदुषः: skilled in weapons
• अस्त्रविदुषः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: astra (प्रातिपदिक) + vidvas (प्रातिपदिक; from √vid)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (अस्त्राणि वेत्ति); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (masc nom pl; ‘skilled in weapons’)

• नानाप्रहरणाः: armed with many kinds of weapons
• नानाप्रहरणाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nānā (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + praharaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (नानाविधं प्रहरणं येषाम्); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (masc nom pl)

• रणे: in battle
• रणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (masc loc sg)

• जघ्नुः: slew/struck down
• जघ्नुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √han (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद (they slew)

• वानरसैन्यानि: Vanara armies
• वानरसैन्यानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara (प्रातिपदिक) + sainya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (वानराणां सैन्यानि); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन (neuter acc pl)

• राक्षसाः: Rakshasas
• राक्षसाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (masc nom pl)

• क्रोधमूर्छिताः: deluded by anger
• क्रोधमूर्छिताः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: krodha (प्रातिपदिक) + mūrchita (कृदन्त; from √mūrch)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (क्रोधेन मूर्छिताः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (masc nom pl)

Context

Indeed, abandoning the weapons, the Vanaras fought with their palms, fists, feet, trees, and knees and smashed the Rakshasas crushing their bodies like rocks.

Characters & Entities

• Vajradaṃṣṭra
• Vānara(s)
• Antaka (Death)

FAQs

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

The comparison to Death stresses how adharma-led aggression spreads fear. Dharma in war is not terrorizing the helpless but fighting with restraint and purpose.

What is the narrative situation?

Vajradaṃṣṭra enters the fray as a major Rākṣasa champion, moving through the battlefield and striking the Vānaras with arrows.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Martial prowess is shown, but framed negatively as intimidation and destructive force rather than righteous heroism.