Shloka 18

दूषणवधः

The Slaying of Dūṣaṇa and the Rout of Khara’s Host

Devanagari script

महाकपालो विपुलं शूलमुद्यम्य राक्षसः।।।।स्थूलाक्षः पट्टिसं गृह्य प्रमाथी च परश्वधम्।

Transliteration

mahākapālo vipulaṃ śūlam udyamya rākṣasaḥ |

sthūlākṣaḥ paṭṭisaṃ gṛhya pramāthī ca paraśvadham ||

Translation

رکشس مہاکپال نے ایک بھاری شُول بلند کیا؛ ستھولاکش نے تیز دھار پٹّیس سنبھالا؛ اور پرماتھی نے پرشوَدھ (کلہاڑا) تھام لیا۔

Word by Word

• महाकपालः: Mahākapāla (a demon)
• महाकपालः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाकपाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः महत्+कपाल (कर्मधारय)

• विपुलम्: huge
• विपुलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विपुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (शूलम्)

• शूलम्: spear, pike
• शूलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• उद्यम्य: having raised
• उद्यम्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्+यम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund); अव्ययभावः; ‘having lifted/raised’

• राक्षसः: the demon
• राक्षसः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• स्थूलाक्षः: Sthūlākṣa (the large-eyed one)
• स्थूलाक्षः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थूलाक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (स्थूलानि अक्षीणि यस्य)

• पट्टिसम्: a battle-axe/halberd-like weapon (paṭṭisa)
• पट्टिसम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पट्टिस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• गृह्य: having seized
• गृह्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund); ‘having seized/holding’

• प्रमाथी: Pramāthī (a demon)
• प्रमाथी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रमाथिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction ‘and’)

• परश्वधम्: battle-axe
• परश्वधम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परश्वध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

Context

Mahakapala had a huge spear, Sthulaksha, a sharp-edged spear and Pramathi, a battle-axe.

Characters & Entities

• Mahākapāla
• Sthūlākṣa
• Pramāthī
• śūla (spear)
• paraśvadha (battle-axe)

FAQs

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

Weapons amplify intent: the verse highlights preparation for violence, implicitly contrasting adharma’s reliance on brute force with dharma’s disciplined protection.

What is the narrative situation?

The three commanders arm themselves distinctly as they prepare to strike Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s readiness is implied—he faces varied threats without retreat from duty.