Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 98, Shloka 33

महोदरवधः

The Slaying of Mahodara

Devanagari script

लग्नमुत्कर्षतःखडगंखडगेनकपिकुञ्जरः ।।6.98.33।।जहारसशिरस्त्राणंकुण्डलोपहितंशिरः ।

Transliteration

lagnam utkarṣataḥ khaḍgaṃ khaḍgena kapikuñjaraḥ |

jahāra saśirastrāṇaṃ kuṇḍalopahitaṃ śiraḥ ||6.98.33||

Translation

Habang hinihila ni Mahodara upang maiahon ang tabak na sumabit, si Sugriva—ang elepante sa mga unggoy—ay humampas ng sariling talim at pinugot ang ulo ni Mahodara, may suot na helmet at pinalamutian ng mga hikaw.

Word by Word

• लग्नम्: stuck; embedded
• लग्नम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lag (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; खड्गम् इति विशेषण (stuck/embedded)

• उत्कर्षतः: while extracting; pulling out
• उत्कर्षतः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud + kṛṣ (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त-अव्यय (शतृ/शानच्-प्रयोगेण) रूपेण ‘उत्कर्षन्’ इत्यर्थे; क्रियाविशेषण (while pulling out)

• खड्गम्: the sword
• खड्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khaḍga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• खड्गेन: with (his) sword
• खड्गेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khaḍga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• कपिकुञ्जरः: the monkey-elephant (mighty monkey)
• कपिकुञ्जरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kapi (प्रातिपदिक) + kuñjara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: कपिः एव कुञ्जरः (elephant among monkeys)

• जहार: took away; severed
• जहार: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: hṛ (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद; प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• सशिरस्त्राणम्: together with the helmet
• सशिरस्त्राणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय-पूर्वपद) + śirastrāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; अव्ययीभाव: शिरस्त्राणेन सह (with helmet)

• कुण्डलोपहितम्: adorned with earrings
• कुण्डलोपहितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kuṇḍala (प्रातिपदिक) + upahita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तृतीया/संबन्ध-तत्पुरुष: कुण्डलेन उपहितम् (adorned with earrings)

• शिरः: head
• शिरः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

Context

While Mahodara was extracting the sword stuck to the head, Sugriva, the elephant of the monkeys, severed the head of Mahodara which was decked with earrings and helmet.

Characters & Entities

• Sugrīva
• Mahodara
• Sword (khaḍga)
• Earrings (kuṇḍala)

FAQs

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

In a righteous war, decisive action against an aggressor restores moral order; dharma here is protection of the just cause through effective, timely intervention.

What is the narrative situation?

During a critical moment when Mahodara is occupied freeing his weapon, Sugrīva strikes and beheads him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sugrīva’s strength and battlefield decisiveness—he recognizes an opening and ends the threat swiftly.