Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 77, Shloka 5
निकुम्भवधः — The Slaying of Nikumbha
Hanuman’s Duel
उरोगतेननिष्केणभुजस्थैरङ्गदैरपि ।कुण्डलाभ्यां च चित्राभ्यांमालया च विचित्रया ।।।।निकुम्भोभूषणैर्भातितेनस्मपरिघेण च ।यथेन्द्रधनुषामेघस्सविद्युत्स्तनयित्नुमान् ।।।।
urogateṇa niṣkeṇa bhujasthair aṅgadair api | kuṇḍalābhyāṃ ca citrābhyāṃ mālayā ca vicitrayā ||
nikumbho bhūṣaṇair bhāti tena sma parigheṇa ca | yathendradhanuṣā meghaḥ sa-vidyut-stanayitnumān ||
Nikumbha rực rỡ với các trang sức: giáp ngực vàng, vòng đeo tay nơi cánh tay, đôi khuyên tai lộng lẫy, và vòng hoa muôn sắc; lại cầm cây chùy sắt ấy. Hắn trông như đám mây có sấm chớp, vắt ngang cầu vồng của Indra.
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.
FAQs
The epic distinguishes appearance from truth: dazzling might and beauty do not establish satya or dharma; ethical worth rests on righteous intent and action.
Before the decisive fight, the poet paints Nikumbha’s imposing, ornamented form through vivid natural similes.
For the protagonists, it underscores composure—remaining undeceived by spectacle and committed to the righteous objective.