अक्षवधः (The Slaying of Prince Aksha)
Sundarakāṇḍa Sarga 47
विराजमानं प्रतिपूर्णवस्तुना सहेमदाम्ना शशिसूर्यवर्चसा।दिवाकराभं रथमास्थितस्ततस्स निर्जगामामरतुल्यविक्रमः।।5.47.6।।
virājamānaṃ pratipūrṇavastunā sahemadāmnā śaśisūryavarcasā |
divākarābhaṃ ratham āsthitas tatas sa nirjagāmāmaratulyavikramaḥ ||5.47.6||
تب وہ—جس کی شجاعت دیوتاؤں کے برابر تھی—اس سورج مانند روشن رتھ پر سوار ہوا، جو سنہری ہاروں سے جگمگا رہا تھا اور چاند و سورج کی مشترک تابانی رکھتا تھا؛ سامان سے بھرپور اس رتھ پر چڑھ کر وہ روانہ ہوا۔
Prince Aksha, whose courage was equal to that of gods, shone like the Sun. He ascended the splendid chariot decked with golden garlands shining like Sun and Moon, equipped with all weapons, bows and shields etc, he went out.
The verse sets up a Dharma contrast: outward glory and ‘godlike’ valor can still serve an unrighteous regime; the Ramayana repeatedly distinguishes brilliance from righteousness.
Akṣa prepares for battle by mounting his magnificent chariot and advancing to confront Hanumān.
Courage and martial confidence—Akṣa is depicted as formidable, heightening the significance of Hanumān’s later victory.