कुम्भकर्णवधः
The Slaying of Kumbhakarna
यैस्सायकैस्सालवरानिकृत्तावालीहतोवानरपुङ्गवश्च ।तेकुम्भकर्णस्यतदाशरीरंवज्रोपमं न व्यधयांप्रचक्रुः ।।।।
yaiḥ sāyakaiḥ sālavarān nikṛttā vālī hato vānarapuṅgavaś ca | te kumbhakarṇasya tadā śarīraṃ vajropamaṃ na vyadhayāṃ pracakruḥ ||
Ang mga palasong yaon na siyang pumutol sa matatapang na punong sāla at siyang tumama kay Vālī, ang pinakadakila sa mga unggoy—yaon ding mga palasong tila kulog ay hindi nakabutas sa katawang parang vajra ni Kumbhakarṇa.
Those arrows which had cut down the Sala trees and the Vanara leader, Vali, which were like thunderbolts, did not affect Kumbhakarna's body.
The verse teaches discernment: past success does not guarantee present outcomes. Dharma in action requires adapting wisely while remaining committed to the righteous goal.
The narration recalls Rāma’s earlier feats with the same arrows, yet emphasizes that Kumbhakarṇa’s body proves unusually resistant.
Rāma’s proven capability is acknowledged, while the immediate virtue called for is strategic patience and resolve.