Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 73, Shloka 21

इन्द्रजितः ब्रह्मास्त्र-यागः तथा वानरसेनाविध्वंसः

Indrajit’s Brahmastra Rite and the Crushing of the Vanara Host

Devanagari script

ततस्तुहुतभोक्तारंहुतभुक्सदृशप्रभः ।।।।जुहावराक्षसश्रेष्ठोमन्त्रवद्विधिवत्तदा ।

Transliteration

tatas tu hutabhoktāraṃ hutabhuk-sadṛśa-prabhaḥ | juhāva rākṣasaśreṣṭho mantravad vidhivat tadā ||

Translation

Pagkatapos, ang pinakadakila sa mga Rākṣasa, na naglalagablab na parang mismong Apoy, ay naghandog sa Diyos na Apoy—binibigkas ang mga mantra at tinutupad ang wastong mga ritwal.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereupon
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverb): 'thereupon/then'

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle/conjunction): emphasis/contrast

• hutabhoktāram: the fire-god (Agni), the eater of oblations
• hutabhoktāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hutabhoktṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (accusative), एकवचन; object of worship/invocation

• hutabhuk-sadṛśa-prabhaḥ: having a radiance like fire
• hutabhuk-sadṛśa-prabhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hutabhuk (प्रातिपदिक) + sadṛśa (प्रातिपदिक) + prabhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः: (हुतभुक्सदृशा प्रभा यस्य सः) बहिर्ग्राह्य-विशेषणरूपेण; 'having brilliance like fire'

• juhāva: offered (into the fire), worshipped
• juhāva: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: hu (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; 'he offered/performed oblation'

• rākṣasa-śreṣṭhaḥ: the foremost of the Rakshasas
• rākṣasa-śreṣṭhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक) + śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: 'राक्षसानां श्रेष्ठः'

• mantravat: with mantras
• mantravat: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: mantravat (अव्यय/तद्धित)
• Form: अव्यय (adverbial): 'with mantras, accompanied by mantra-recitation'

• vidhivat: according to the prescribed rite
• vidhivat: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vidhivat (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverbial): 'according to rule/rite (विधि)'

• tadā: then, at that time
• tadā: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (temporal adverb): 'at that time/then'

Context

Then the foremost of Rakshasas, who was like fire god in brilliance worshipped fire god with chanting of mantras as per tradition.

Characters & Entities

• Indrajit
• Agni (Fire-god)
• Mantra
• Homa (fire-offering)

FAQs

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

Ritual correctness is shown, but the Ramayana distinguishes outer rite from inner dharma: sacred forms do not sanctify an unrighteous aim.

What is the narrative situation?

Indrajit performs a fire-ritual with mantras and prescribed procedure before/within the battle context.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Ritual discipline and determination—he follows formal rites meticulously.