Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 71, Shloka 23

अतिकायवधः

The Slaying of Atikāya

Devanagari script

काञ्चनाङ्गदनद्धाभ्यांभूजाभ्यामेषशोभते ।शृङ्गाभ्यामिवतुङ्गाभ्यांहिमवान् पर्वतोत्तमः ।।।।

Transliteration

kāñcanāṅgada-naddhābhyāṃ bhūjābhyām eṣa śobhate | śṛṅgābhyām iva tuṅgābhyāṃ himavān parvatottamaḥ ||

Translation

Sa dalawang bisig niyang nabibigkis ng gintong mga armlet, siya’y nagniningning—gaya ng marangal na Himalaya, ang pinakamainam na bundok, na may dalawang matayog na tuktok.

Word by Word

• काञ्चनाङ्गदनद्धाभ्याम्: by (his) arms bound/adorned with golden armlets
• काञ्चनाङ्गदनद्धाभ्याम्: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāñcana + aṅgada + naddha (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √नह्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग? (भुज-विशेषणरूपेण), तृतीया, द्विवचन; करण (instrumental)

• भुजाभ्याम्: with (his) two arms
• भुजाभ्याम्: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, द्विवचन

• एषः: this one/he
• एषः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: eṣa (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• शोभते: shines/appears splendid
• शोभते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √शुभ् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• शृङ्गाभ्याम्: with two peaks
• शृङ्गाभ्याम्: Upamāna-karaṇa (उपमान-करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śṛṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, द्विवचन

• इव: like
• इव: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमाद्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय

• तुङ्गाभ्याम्: lofty
• तुङ्गाभ्याम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tuṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, द्विवचन; विशेषण (of śṛṅga)

• हिमवान्: Himavan (Himalaya)
• हिमवान्: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: himavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपमान

• पर्वतोत्तमः: the best of mountains
• पर्वतोत्तमः: Samānādhikaraṇa (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parvata + uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (mountain-best) apposition to himavān

Context

"By adorning armlets, his both arms are like high peaks of Himalaya mountain shining away."

Characters & Entities

• Himavān (Himalaya)
• aṅgada (armlets)

FAQs

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

Dharma is indirect: external brilliance and power can be aesthetically described, but the epic invites readers to judge worth by righteous conduct, not ornament.

What is the narrative situation?

The poet depicts a warrior’s imposing arms and ornaments using the image of the Himalaya’s twin peaks.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Physical might and majesty are emphasized; the verse underscores the epic’s realism in portraying formidable opponents.