Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 77, Shloka 2

निकुम्भवधः — The Slaying of Nikumbha

Hanuman’s Duel

Devanagari script

ततस्स्रग्दामसन्नद्धंदत्तपञ्चाङ्गुलंशुभम् ।आददेपरिघंवीरोमहेन्द्रशिखरोपमम् ।।।।

Transliteration

tatas sragdāma-sannaddhaṃ datta-pañcāṅgulaṃ śubham |

ādade parighaṃ vīro mahendra-śikharopamam ||

Translation

Pagkaraan, ang bayaning si Nikumbha, na may suot na kuwintas ng bulaklak, ay dinampot ang mapalad na pamalong bakal na limang daliri ang lapad—isang sandatang tulad ng tuktok ng Bundok Mahendra.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रमवाचक-अव्यय (then/thereupon)

• srag-dāma-sannaddham: bound with a garland-string
• srag-dāma-sannaddham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sraj (प्रातिपदिक) + dāma (प्रातिपदिक) + sannaddha (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-प्राय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (स्रग्दाम्ना सन्नद्धम्) विशेषणम् (parigham)

• datta-pañcāṅgulam: measuring five fingers (in breadth)
• datta-pañcāṅgulam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: datta (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-प्राय) + pañca (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅgula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (पञ्चाङ्गुलं दत्तम्/प्रमाणीकृतम्) विशेषणम् (parigham)

• śubham: auspicious
• śubham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (parigham)

• ādade: took up
• ādade: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā√dā (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• parigham: iron club/bar
• parigham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parigha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• vīraḥ: the hero
• vīraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• mahendra-śikhara-upamam: like the peak of Mahendra
• mahendra-śikhara-upamam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahendra (प्रातिपदिक) + śikhara (प्रातिपदिक) + upama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (महेन्द्रशिखरेण उपमम्) विशेषणम् (parigham)

Context

The Rakshasa, whose arms were like iron bars and shining like the Sun brought it down on the breast of mighty Hanuman.

Characters & Entities

• Nikumbha
• parigha (iron club)
• Mahendra (mountain)

FAQs

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

The verse frames armed combat as governed by yuddha-dharma: a warrior openly takes up a weapon and enters battle directly, emphasizing courage and straightforward engagement rather than deceit.

What is the narrative situation?

Nikumbha prepares to fight by taking up a massive iron club, signaling an escalation in the duel against Hanumān.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vīrya (valor) and readiness: Nikumbha is portrayed as resolute and forceful in entering combat.