निकुम्भवधः — The Slaying of Nikumbha
Hanuman’s Duel
स्थिरेतस्योरसिव्यूढेपरिघश्शतधाकृतः ।।।।विकीर्यमाणस्सहसाउल्काशतमिवाम्बरे ।
sthire tasyorasi vyūḍhe parighaḥ śatadhā kṛtaḥ |
vikīryamāṇaḥ sahasā ulkā-śatam ivāmbare ||
Vừa chạm vào lồng ngực rộng lớn và vững như núi của ngài, cây chùy liền vỡ thành trăm mảnh, tung tán tức khắc như trăm sao băng rải khắp trời.
The great Vanara did not move and remained steady like a mountain in an earthquake with the iron club touching him.
Dharma is portrayed as an inner strength that cannot be broken by external force; when one stands for a righteous cause, aggression may recoil upon itself.
Nikumbha’s weapon fails dramatically: the club breaks apart upon contact with Hanumān’s chest.
Hanumān’s invincibility in service (sevā-niṣṭhā): his steadfast dedication to Rāma manifests as unshakable strength.