Shloka 38

इन्द्रजित्-वधः

The Slaying of Indrajit

Devanagari script

ततःशोणितदिग्धाङ्गौलक्ष्मणेन्दजितावुभौ ।।।।रणेतौराजतुर्वीरौपुष्पिताविवकिंशुकौ ।

Transliteration

tataḥ śoṇitadigdhāṅgau lakṣmaṇendrajitāv ubhau | raṇe tau rājatuḥ vīrau puṣpitāv iva kiṁśukau ||

Translation

Bấy giờ, cả Lakṣmaṇa và Indrajit, thân thể nhuốm đẫm huyết, rực sáng giữa chiến địa như hai cây kiṁśuka đang nở rộ.

Word by Word

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Dual

• परस्परम्: each other
• परस्परम्: Karma (कर्म/Reciprocal object)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: paraspara (अव्यय-प्रयोग)
• Form: Avyaya (mutual/reciprocal adverb)

• अभ्येत्य: having approached
• अभ्येत्य: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: abhi-√i (अभि√इ धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), avyaya; ‘having approached/attacked’

• सर्व-गात्रेषु: on all limbs
• सर्व-गात्रेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + gātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa, Neuter, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Plural

• धन्विनौ: two bowmen
• धन्विनौ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanvin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Dual

• घोरैः: dreadful
• घोरैः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ghora (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural; agrees with बाणैः

• विव्यधतुः: pierced
• विव्यधतुः: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-vyadh (वि√व्यध् धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Dual

• बाणैः: with arrows
• बाणैः: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural

• कृत-भावौ: resolved / intent
• कृत-भावौ: Karta-guṇa (कर्तृगुण/Subject attribute)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (√kṛ धातु, क्त) + bhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (‘having made up one’s mind’), Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Dual; agrees with तौ

• उभौ: both
• उभौ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ubha (सर्वनाम/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Dual; agrees with तौ

• जये: in/for victory
• जये: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Goal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular; purpose/aim sense (‘for victory’)

Context

Then smeared with blood the two, Lakshmana and Indrajit, shone like fully blossomed Kimsuka in battle.

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• Indrajit
• kiṁśuka tree

FAQs

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

A dharmic lens sees even violence as bounded by purpose: the imagery underscores endurance and resolve, reminding that war’s beauty is poetic, but its cost is real.

What is the narrative situation?

After exchanging many blows, both warriors are bloodied yet remain radiant and unbroken in the battlefield.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Stamina and unwavering commitment—both continue despite wounds.