Shloka 10

रावणवधः — The Slaying of Ravana

Brahmāstra Discharge

Devanagari script

वज्रसारंमहानादंनानासमितिदारणम् ।सर्ववित्रासनंभीमंश्वसन्तमिवपन्नगम् ।।।।

Transliteration

vajrasāraṃ mahānādaṃ nānā-samiti-dāraṇam | sarvavitrāsanaṃ bhīmaṃ śvasantam iva pannagam ||

Translation

وہ تیر بجلی کی کڑک کی مانند سخت، عظیم گرج والا، طرح طرح کی جنگی صفوں کو چیر دینے والا، سب کو لرزا دینے والا—ایسا ہیبت ناک تھا جیسے سانپ سانس لیتے ہوئے پھنکارے۔

Word by Word

• vajra-sāram: hard as a thunderbolt
• vajra-sāram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vajra + sāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (vajra-sāra = having thunderbolt-like hardness); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• mahā-nādam: loud-roaring
• mahā-nādam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā + nāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (great-sounding); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• nānā-samiti-dāraṇam: rending various battle-formations
• nānā-samiti-dāraṇam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nānā + samiti + dāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (dāraṇa of various armies/assemblies); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• sarva-vitrāsanam: terrifying all
• sarva-vitrāsanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva + vitrāsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (causing terror to all); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• bhīmam: terrible
• bhīmam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhīma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• śvasantam: hissing/breathing
• śvasantam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śvas (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ/शानच् (present participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय

• pannagam: a serpent
• pannagam: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pannaga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; उपमान

Context

Strong as thunderbolt, loud sounding, dispersing every deceitful kind of army, frightening to all kinds of beings, hissing like a serpent.

Characters & Entities

• serpent (pannaga) (simile)

FAQs

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

The verse evokes war’s terror to underline ethical gravity: dharma is not sentimental about violence; it recognizes its भय (fear) and insists it be undertaken only for righteous necessity.

What is the narrative situation?

In the advisory sequence around Mātali’s intervention, the text describes a fearsome, forceful presence in battle using powerful similes.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viveka (discernment)—the implied need to perceive danger clearly and respond with appropriate, measured action.