Shloka 7

निकुम्भवधः — The Slaying of Nikumbha

Hanuman’s Duel

Devanagari script

परिघाग्रेणपुष्पोटवातग्रथनिर्महात्मनः ।प्रजज्वालसघोषश्चविधूमइवपावकः ।।।।

Transliteration

parighāgreṇa puṣpoṭa vātagrathaniḥ mahātmanaḥ | prajajvāla sa-ghoṣaś ca vidhūma iva pāvakaḥ ||

Translation

اس مہاتما یودھا نے جب لوہے کا پرِگھ گھمایا تو ہوا کی گانٹھیں پھٹ پڑیں؛ وہ گرجتی آواز کے ساتھ یوں بھڑک اٹھا جیسے بے دھواں آگ۔

Word by Word

• nagaryā: by/with the city
• nagaryā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nagarī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• viṭapāvatyā: (named) Viṭapāvatī
• viṭapāvatyā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṭapāvatī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; नगर्याः विशेषण/अप्पोजिशन (name of the city)

• gandharva-bhavana-uttamaiḥ: with excellent Gandharva dwellings
• gandharva-bhavana-uttamaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandharva + bhavana + uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; ‘with excellent Gandharva-mansions’

• sa-tārā-graha-nakṣatram: (with) stars, planets, and constellations
• sa-tārā-graha-nakṣatram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa + tārā + graha + nakṣatra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; समाहार-द्वन्द्वः; ‘(the sky) with stars, planets, and constellations’

• sa-candram: with the moon
• sa-candram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa + candra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; ‘with the moon’

• sa-mahā-graham: with great planets
• sa-mahā-graham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa + mahā + graha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; ‘with great planets’

• nikumbha-parigha-ghūrṇam: whirled by Nikumbha's club
• nikumbha-parigha-ghūrṇam: Hetu/Karaṇa (हेतु/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nikumbha + parigha + ghūrṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; ‘made to whirl by Nikumbha’s club’

• bhramati: revolves
• bhramati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhram (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• iva: as if
• iva: Upamāna-dyotaka (उपमान-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमानवाचक-अव्ययम्

• nabhaḥ-sthalam: the sky
• nabhaḥ-sthalam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nabhas + sthala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; ‘sky-region’

Context

Nikumbha was shining with ornaments on his chest, golden armlets on arms, wonderful earrings and wonderful garland s holding clubs in hand, with bow like Indra's and roaring like lightning and thunder in the clouds.

Characters & Entities

• Nikumbha
• Fire (pāvaka)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires steadiness amid chaos: the verse dramatizes the battlefield’s terrifying energy, against which righteous warriors must maintain discipline and purpose.

What is the narrative situation?

Nikumbha’s weapon-whirling creates a violent, fiery spectacle in the air, intensifying the combat atmosphere.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage under threat—standing firm when the enemy’s display is meant to overwhelm morale.