Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 73, Shloka 21

इन्द्रजितः ब्रह्मास्त्र-यागः तथा वानरसेनाविध्वंसः

Indrajit’s Brahmastra Rite and the Crushing of the Vanara Host

Devanagari script

ततस्तुहुतभोक्तारंहुतभुक्सदृशप्रभः ।।।।जुहावराक्षसश्रेष्ठोमन्त्रवद्विधिवत्तदा ।

Transliteration

tatas tu hutabhoktāraṃ hutabhuk-sadṛśa-prabhaḥ | juhāva rākṣasaśreṣṭho mantravad vidhivat tadā ||

Translation

随后，罗刹之首光焰如火神自身，依仪轨诵持真言，向火神行供献之祭。

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereupon
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverb): 'thereupon/then'

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle/conjunction): emphasis/contrast

• hutabhoktāram: the fire-god (Agni), the eater of oblations
• hutabhoktāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hutabhoktṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (accusative), एकवचन; object of worship/invocation

• hutabhuk-sadṛśa-prabhaḥ: having a radiance like fire
• hutabhuk-sadṛśa-prabhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hutabhuk (प्रातिपदिक) + sadṛśa (प्रातिपदिक) + prabhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः: (हुतभुक्सदृशा प्रभा यस्य सः) बहिर्ग्राह्य-विशेषणरूपेण; 'having brilliance like fire'

• juhāva: offered (into the fire), worshipped
• juhāva: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: hu (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; 'he offered/performed oblation'

• rākṣasa-śreṣṭhaḥ: the foremost of the Rakshasas
• rākṣasa-śreṣṭhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक) + śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: 'राक्षसानां श्रेष्ठः'

• mantravat: with mantras
• mantravat: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: mantravat (अव्यय/तद्धित)
• Form: अव्यय (adverbial): 'with mantras, accompanied by mantra-recitation'

• vidhivat: according to the prescribed rite
• vidhivat: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vidhivat (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverbial): 'according to rule/rite (विधि)'

• tadā: then, at that time
• tadā: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (temporal adverb): 'at that time/then'

Context

Then the foremost of Rakshasas, who was like fire god in brilliance worshipped fire god with chanting of mantras as per tradition.

Characters & Entities

• Indrajit
• Agni (Fire-god)
• Mantra
• Homa (fire-offering)

FAQs

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

Ritual correctness is shown, but the Ramayana distinguishes outer rite from inner dharma: sacred forms do not sanctify an unrighteous aim.

What is the narrative situation?

Indrajit performs a fire-ritual with mantras and prescribed procedure before/within the battle context.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Ritual discipline and determination—he follows formal rites meticulously.