Shloka 9

खरस्य सैन्योद्योगः

Khara Mobilizes the Janasthana Host

Devanagari script

नीलजीमूतवर्णानां घोराणां क्रूरकर्मणाम्।लोकहिंसाविहाराणां बलिनामुग्रतेजसाम्।।3.22.9।।

Transliteration

nīlajīmūtavarṇānāṃ ghorāṇāṃ krūrakarmaṇām |

lokahiṃsāvihārāṇāṃ balinām ugratejasām || 3.22.9 ||

Translation

“色如青雨云，阴黑可怖；行事残酷；游走世间以害众生——强悍无比，凶焰炽盛。”

Word by Word

• नीलजीमूतवर्णानाम्: of dark-blue-cloud complexion
• नीलजीमूतवर्णानाम्: विशेषण (Genitive attribute)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नील + जीमूत + वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th, Genitive), बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्गे (रक्षसाम् इत्यादि) विशेषणम्; तत्पुरुषः (नीलजीमूतस्य वर्णः यस्य/येषाम् = of dark-blue-cloud color)

• घोराणाम्: of dreadful (ones)
• घोराणाम्: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th, Genitive), बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषणम् — ‘dreadful’

• क्रूरकर्मणाम्: of cruel actions
• क्रूरकर्मणाम्: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रूर + कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th, Genitive), बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषणम्; तत्पुरुषः (क्रूरं कर्म येषाम् = of cruel deeds)

• लोकहिंसाविहाराणाम्: of those who roam harming people
• लोकहिंसाविहाराणाम्: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लोक + हिंसा + विहार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th, Genitive), बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषणम्; तत्पुरुषः (लोके हिंसा-विहारः येषाम् = whose pastime is harming people)

• बलिनाम्: of the strong
• बलिनाम्: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th, Genitive), बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषणम् — ‘strong’

• उग्रतेजसाम्: of fierce power
• उग्रतेजसाम्: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उग्र + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th, Genitive), बहुवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; विशेषणम्; कर्मधारयः (उग्रं तेजः येषाम् = of fierce splendor/power)

Context

They are of the colour of the dark blue cloud, dreadful and merciless, strong and powerful fighters who roam about forturing people.

Characters & Entities

• rākṣasas (Khara’s forces)

FAQs

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

Dharma rejects strength that preys upon the innocent: power becomes righteous only when restrained by compassion, justice, and protection of the world (loka).

What is the narrative situation?

Khara characterizes his troops as terrifying and predatory, reinforcing the threat he intends to unleash against Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast, the implied virtue is lokarakṣaṇa (protecting society): the verse frames the rākṣasas as the opposite—those who harm the world.