Shloka 51

त्रिशिरा–देवान्तक–महोदर–मत्त

महापार्श्व) वधः | Slaying of Trisira, Devantaka, Mahodara, and Matta (Mahaparsva

Devanagari script

जग्राहार्चिष्मतींघोरांगदांसर्वायसींशुभां ।।।।हेमपट्टपरिक्षिप्तांमांसशोणितफेनिलाम् ।विराजमानांवपुषांशत्रुशोणितरंजिताम् ।।।।तेजसासंप्रदीप्ताग्रांरक्तमाल्यविभूषिताम् ।ऐरावतमहापद्मसार्वभौमभयावहाम् ।।।।

Transliteration

jagrāhārciṣmatīṃ ghorāṃ gadāṃ sarvāyasīṃ śubhām |

hemapaṭṭaparikṣiptāṃ māṃsaśoṇitaphenilām |

virājamānāṃ vapuṣā śatruśoṇitarañjitām |

tejasā saṃpradīptāgrāṃ raktamālyavibhūṣitām |

airāvatamahāpadmasārvabhaumabha yāvahām ||

Translation

تب اُس نے ایک ہولناک، شعلہ فشاں اور چمکتی ہوئی گدا تھام لی—ساری لوہے کی مگر نہایت شاندار—جسے سونے کی پٹّیوں سے جکڑا گیا تھا، جو گوشت اور خون کے جھاگ سے لتھڑی ہوئی تھی؛ اپنے ہیئت میں درخشاں، دشمنوں کے خون سے سرخ رنگی ہوئی؛ اپنے تیز سے نوک پر بھڑکتی ہوئی، سرخ مالاؤں سے آراستہ؛ اور جس کا رعب ایراوت، مہاپدم اور ساروبھوم تک پر طاری ہوتا تھا۔

Word by Word

जग्राहseized

अर्चिष्मतीम्radiant

घोराम्terrible

गदाम्mace

सर्वायसीम्all-iron

शुभाम्auspicious/splendid

हेमपट्टपरिक्षिप्ताम्wrapped/bound with gold bands

मांसशोणितफेनिलाम्frothy/smeared with flesh and blood

विराजमानाम्shining

वपुषाwith (its) appearance

शत्रुशोणितरञ्जिताम्reddened by enemies' blood

तेजसाby radiance

संप्रदीप्ताग्राम्with a blazing tip/head

रक्तमाल्यविभूषिताम्adorned with a red garland

ऐरावतमहापद्मसार्वभौमभयावहाम्bringing fear to Airāvata, Mahāpadma, and Sārvabhauma

Context

Mahaparsva seized hold of a good venerable, all-powerful mace plated with gold, smeared with flesh and blood, shining with lustre, shining red with enemy's blood, an effulgent one whose head has been glowing decorated with red flower garlands that brought terror to Airavatam, Mahapadma, and Sarvabhuama, the three elephants guarding the three of the four quarters.

Characters & Entities

Matta (implied by continuation from prior verse)

gadā (mace)

Airāvata

Mahāpadma

FAQs

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

The verse warns that splendour of weapons and terror-inspiring power are not markers of righteousness; Dharma is measured by purpose and restraint, not by frightening display.

What is the narrative situation?

Matta prepares to re-enter combat by taking up an extraordinarily fearsome mace, described in vivid, hyperbolic detail.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Indirectly, the text highlights the danger of āyudha-mada (intoxication with weapon-power): reliance on brute force without dharmic restraint.