Shloka 5
The Slaying of Muci
स चिच्छेद त्रिभिर्बाणैः शक्रः परपुरंजयः । ततो जघान दशभिरिंद्रमैरावणं त्रिभिः
sa ciccheda tribhirbāṇaiḥ śakraḥ parapuraṃjayaḥ | tato jaghāna daśabhiriṃdramairāvaṇaṃ tribhiḥ
تب شکر، دشمنوں کے قلعے فتح کرنے والا، نے تین تیروں سے اسے کاٹ ڈالا۔ پھر اس نے دس تیروں سے اندَر کو اور تین تیروں سے ایراوت کو زخمی کیا۔
Narrator (contextual epic narration; specific dialogue speaker not explicit in this single verse)
Concept: Power invites counter-power; worldly (and heavenly) victories are unstable without deeper spiritual anchoring.
Application: Do not equate success with invulnerability; cultivate humility and spiritual practice alongside competence.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A kinetic tableau of arrow-for-arrow exchange: Indra’s three shafts slice through the opponent’s defense, yet the asura retaliates with a fan of ten arrows aimed at Indra and three that bite toward Airāvata’s armored brow. Airāvata rears amid swirling cloud-dust, while celestial attendants scatter like sparks.","primary_figures":["Indra (Śakra, Purandara)","Asura/Daitya opponent","Airāvata","Mātali (implied)"],"setting":"Sky-battle with Indra’s chariot, Airāvata nearby, cloud banks torn by arrow trails and lightning filaments.","lighting_mood":"storm-lit radiance","color_palette":["electric violet","ashen grey","vajra gold","emerald green","blood red"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic diagonal composition—Indra with gold leaf halo and ornate crown, bow drawn; opposing asura in dark metallic tones; ten arrows rendered as gold-tipped rays; Airāvata with jeweled caparison and gem inlays; thick ornamental borders, rich reds/greens, embossed thunderbolt motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: fine stippling for cloud texture, delicate arrow trajectories, Airāvata’s expressive eye and lifted trunk; cool blues and greys with selective gold; refined facial profiles and patterned textiles on chariot canopy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized Airāvata with bold outlines and rhythmic curves, Indra in saturated red-yellow-green palette, arrows as repeated linear motifs; temple-wall symmetry with narrative clarity and iconic gestures.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: deep indigo ground with gold arrow arcs like floral tendrils; Airāvata framed by lotus medallions; border filled with thunderbolt-lotus alternation; Indra centered as a regal figure with ornate textile patterns and miniature attendants."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"commanding","sound_elements":["mridanga strokes","clashing cymbals","elephant trumpet","whistling arrows","rolling thunder"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्रिभिर्बाणैः = त्रिभिः बाणैः; दशभिरिंद्रमैरावणं = दशभिः इन्द्रम् ऐरावणम्
FAQs
Śakra, i.e., Indra, is praised as parapuraṃjaya—“conqueror of enemy fortresses/cities,” an epithet highlighting his martial supremacy among the Devas.
It depicts a combat exchange: Indra cuts down an opponent with three arrows, and then the opponent retaliates—striking Indra with ten arrows and Airāvata with three.
Not directly; this verse is primarily martial narration. Any ethical takeaway is indirect—showing the intensity of conflict and the vulnerability even of powerful celestial beings.