Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 78, Shloka 8

मकराक्षस्य निर्गमनम्

The Deployment of Makaraksha and Ravana’s Fury

Devanagari script

प्रदक्षिणंरथंकृत्वाआरुरोहनिशाचरः ।सूतंसञ्चोदयामासशीघ्रंमेरथमावह ।।।।

Transliteration

pradakṣiṇaṃ rathaṃ kṛtvā āruroha niśācaraḥ |

sūtaṃ sañcodayāmāsa śīghraṃ me ratham āvaha ||

Translation

Pagkatapos, sa paggalang ay pinalibutan niya nang pakanan ang karwahe, saka sumakay ang nilalang-gabi at inudyukan ang kutsero: “Dalhin mo agad ang aking karwahe!”

Word by Word

• pradakṣiṇam: circumambulation
• pradakṣiṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pradakṣiṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; object of kṛtvā

• ratham: chariot
• ratham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; with pradakṣiṇam (pradakṣiṇaṃ rathaṃ kṛtvā = 'having circumambulated the chariot')

• kṛtvā: having done
• kṛtvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा)

• āruroha: mounted
• āruroha: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√ruh (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्) Perfect, Parasmaipada; 3rd person, Singular

• niśācaraḥ: the Rakshasa
• niśācaraḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niśācara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• sūtam: charioteer
• sūtam: Karma (कर्म) (person urged)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sūta (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• sañcodayāmāsa: urged/drove on
• sañcodayāmāsa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√cud (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्) Perfect, Parasmaipada; 3rd person, Singular; intensive/causative sense 'urged strongly'

• śīghram: quickly
• śīghram: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śīghram (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• me: my
• me: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun; Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (enclitic)

• ratham: chariot
• ratham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• āvaha: bring/drive (it)
• āvaha: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√vah (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ (लोट्) Imperative, Parasmaipada; 2nd person, Singular

Context

After having gone round the chariot he (Makara) ascended and said to the charioteer, 'let the chariot be driven quickly'.

Characters & Entities

• Makarākṣa (implied niśācara)
• ratha (chariot)
• sūta (charioteer)

FAQs

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

Even in war, one follows customary propriety and mindful action; the pradakṣiṇā suggests reverence and discipline before undertaking a grave deed.

What is the narrative situation?

Makarākṣa prepares to depart for battle, mounts his chariot, and orders the charioteer to move quickly.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Resolve and preparedness, coupled with adherence to customary forms.