Sundarakanda Sarga 47: The Slaying of Akṣakumāra (Full Text & Meaning)
Sundarakanda Sarga 47: The Slaying of Akṣakumāra (Full Text & Meaning)
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Read Sundarakanda Sarga 47 with full Sanskrit Shlokas and verbatim English meanings. Witness the tragic yet awe-inspiring battle between Hanumān and Rāvaṇa’s youngest son, Prince Akṣa Kumāra. Armed with a celestial chariot and unmatched archery skills, the young prince earns the genuine respect of Hanumān through his incredible valor. However, recognizing that a growing threat cannot be ignored, Hanumān ultimately destroys the prince’s chariot and whurls him to his death, signaling a devastating loss for the Rākṣasa royal family. Download PDF for convenience or read along online at Kalady.org
| Detail | Total Shlokas: 38 | Primary Character: Hanumān vs. Akṣakumāra | Key Events: Akṣakumāra-Yuddham (The battle of Aksha), Hanūmad-Bahumānaḥ (Hanuman's respect for the prince), Akṣakumāra-Vadhaḥ (Slaying of the Prince) | Location: Ashoka Vatika, Lanka |
athaḥ śrīmadvalmīki rāmāyaṇe suṃdarakāṃḍe saptacatvāriṁśassargaḥ
Beginning of Sundarakanda from Srimad Valmiki Ramanaya - 47th Sarga
akṣakumāravadhaḥ Slaying of Akṣakumāra
**sēnāpatīnpañca sa tu pramāpitān ** hanūmatā sānucarānsavāhanān | **samīkṣya rājā samarōddhatōnmukhaṅ ** kumāramakṣaṅ prasamaikṣatāgrataḥ || 1
Upon observing that five of his army commanders, along with their followers and chariots, had been killed by Hanumān, the King (Rāvaṇa) then turned his gaze towards his son, Prince Akṣa, who was standing ready and eager for battle (1)
sa tasya dṛṣṭyarpaṇasampracōditaḥ pratāpavānkāñcanacitrakārmukaḥ samutpapātātha sadasyudīritō dvijātimukhyairhaviṣēva pāvakaḥ || 2
Impelled by the powerful gaze fixed upon him, the mighty Akṣakumāra, with his splendid golden-ornamented bow, instantly sprang up like the sacrificial fire (Pāvaka) fully kindled by the principal priests with an offering (Havish) in the assembly hall.(2)
tatō mahadbāladivākaraprabhaṅ prataptajāmbūnadajālasantatam | rathaṅ samāsthāya yayau sa vīryavān mahāhariṅ taṅ prati nairṛtarṣabhaḥ || 3 tatastapassaṅgrahasañcayārjitaṅ prataptajāmbūnadajālaśōbhitam | patākinaṅ ratnavibhūṣitadhvajaṅ *manōjavāṣṭāśvavaraiḥ suyōjitam || 4
Then, that mighty chief of the Rākṣasas (Akṣa), mounting his chariot—which shone with the great splendor of the rising sun and was adorned with a net of brilliant, purified gold—went forth towards that great Hanumān. (He mounted) the chariot, which had been acquired through the accumulation of great penance, was distinguished by banners and standards decorated with gems, and was perfectly harnessed with eight excellent steeds swift as thought. (3 - 4)
surāsurādhṛṣyamasaṅgacāriṇaṅ raviprabhaṅ vyōmacaraṅ samāhitam | satūṇamaṣṭāsinibaddhabandhuraṅ yathākramāvēśitaśaktitōmaram || 5
virājamānaṅ pratipūrṇavastunā sahēmadāmnā śaśisūryavarcasā | divākarābhaṅ rathamāsthitastataḥ sa nirjagāmāmaratulyavikramaḥ || 6
(The chariot was) invincible to both gods and demons, moving without hindrance, possessing the radiance of the sun, and well-equipped with quivers, eight swords, śakti spears, and tomara javelins. Mounted upon that chariot—which shone with the brilliance of both the moon and the sun, he whose valor was equal to the immortals then issued forth. (5 - 6)
sa pūrayankhaṅ ca mahīṅ ca sācalāṅ turaṅgamātaṅgamahārathasvanaiḥ | balaissamētaissahi tōraṇasthitaṅ samarthamāsīnamupāgamatkapim || 7
Accompanied by his forces, he (Akṣakumāra) approached the powerful Hanumān, who was seated at the entrance gate. The noise from his horses, elephants, and great chariots filled the entire sky and the earth. (7)
Section 2: The Duel of Heroes (Shlokas 8–15)
sa taṅ samāsādya hariṅ harīkṣaṇō yugāntakālāgnimiva prajākṣayē | avasthitaṅ vismitajātasambhramaḥ samaikṣatākṣō bahumānacakṣuṣā || 8
Akṣakumāra, with his lion-like gaze, approached the powerful Vānara (Hanumān), who stood poised like the devastating fire at the end of the cosmic age. Filled with a mixture of astonishment and awe, Akṣakumāra looked upon him with eyes reflecting great respect. (8)
sa tasya vēgaṅ ca kapērmahātmanaḥ parākramaṅ cāriṣu pārthivātmajaḥ | vicārayansvaṅ ca balaṅ mahābalō himakṣayē sūrya ivābhivardhatē || 9
The supremely powerful son of the king (Akṣakumāra), contemplating both the great hero’s speed and his valor, grew in might, like the sun intensifying at the end of winter. (9)
sa jātamanyuḥ prasamīkṣya vikramaṅ sthiraṅ sthirassamyati durnivāraṇam | samāhitātmā hanumantamāhavē pracōdayāmāsa śaraistribhi śśitaiḥ || 10
Akṣakumāra's anger rose as he noted the hero's steady valor. Focusing his mind, he made the deliberate first move, striking Hanumān with three sharp arrows. (10)
tataḥ kapiṅ taṅ prasamīkṣya garvitaṅ jitaśramaṅ śatruparājayōrjitam | avaikṣatākṣassamudīrṇamānasaḥ sabāṇapāṇiḥ pragṛhītakārmukaḥ || 11
sa hēmaniṣkāṅgadacārukuṇḍalaḥ samāsasādā.śuparākramaḥ kapim | tayōrbabhūvāpratimassamāgamaḥ surāsurāṇāmapi sambhramapradaḥ || 12
Akṣakumāra, magnificent in his golden ornaments, approached the great hero. Their ensuing battle was an unparalleled encounter that filled even the gods and demons with alarm. (11 - 12)
rarāsa bhūmirna tatāpa bhānumān vavau na vāyuḥ pracācala cācalaḥ | kapēḥ kumārasya ca vīkṣya saṅyugaṅ nanāda ca dyaurudadhiśca cukṣubhē || 13
As they watched the great battle between Hanumān and the prince, the earth rumbled, the sun did not burn, the wind did not blow, the mountain trembled, the heavens roared, and the ocean was agitated. (13)
tatassa vīrassumukhān patatriṇas suvarṇapuṅkhānsaviṣānivōragān | samādhisamyōgavimōkṣatattvavit śarānatha trīnkapimūrdhnyapātayat || 14
Mastering the art of concentration, the hero (Akṣakumāra) struck Hanumān on the head with three sharp, excellent arrows like venomous serpents. (14)
sa tai śśarairmūrdhni samaṅ nipātitaiḥ kṣarannasṛgdigdhavivṛttalōcanaḥ | navōditādityanibha śśarāṅśumān vyarājatāditya ivāṅśumālikaḥ || 15
Having been struck firmly on the head, blood flowed; yet, with the arrows acting as his rays, Hanumān shone brilliantly like the newly risen sun adorned with a garland of beams. (15)
tatassa piṅgādhipamantrisattamaḥ samīkṣya taṅ rājavarātmajaṅ raṇē | udagracitrāyudhacitrakārmukaṅ jaharṣa cāpūryata cāhavōnmukhaḥ || 16
The great Vānara hero, upon seeing the prince (Akṣakumāra) in battle—armed with his magnificent bow—rejoiced and was filled with enthusiasm, eager for the fight. (16)
sa mandarāgrastha ivāṅśumālikō vivṛddhakōpō balavīryasaṅyutaḥ | kumāramakṣaṅ sabalaṅ savāhanaṅ dadāha nētrāgnimarīcibhistadā || 17
Then, filled with immense strength, Hanumān shone like the radiant sun at the peak of Mount Mandara. With fiery rays from his eyes, he instantly scorched Prince Akṣa's force and chariot. (17)
tatassa bāṇāsanacitrakārmukaḥ śarapravarṣō yudhi rākṣasāmbudaḥ | śarānmumōcāśu harīśvarācalē balāhakō vṛṣṭimivācalōttamē || 18
Then, Akṣakumāra unleashed a torrent of arrows upon Hanumān. Hanumān stood firm like a mountain receiving a deluge from a rain cloud. (18)
tataḥ kapistaṅ raṇacaṇḍavikramaṅ vivṛddhatējōbalavīryasaṅyutam | kumāramakṣaṅ prasamīkṣya saṅyugē nanāda harṣād ghanatulyavikramam || 19
Then, Hanumān, observing Prince Akṣakumāra—whose valor was fierce—roared with delight, his mighty sound resembling a thunder cloud. (19)
sa bālabhāvādyudhi vīryadarpitaḥ pravṛddhamanyuḥ kṣatajōpamēkṣaṇaḥ | samāsasādāpratimaṅ kapiṅ raṇē gajō mahākūpamivāvṛtaṅ tṛṇaiḥ || 20
Akṣakumāra advanced upon the unparalleled Hanumān. In his haste, he was like an elephant recklessly charging toward a great, hidden pit covered deceptively with grass. (20)
sa tēna bāṇaiḥ prasabhaṅ nipātitaiḥ cakāra nādaṅ ghananādanissvanaḥ | samutpapātāśu nabhassa mārutiḥ bhujōruvikṣēpaṇaghōradarśanaḥ || 21
Hanumān, though fiercely struck, let out a thunderous roar. The son of the wind then immediately sprang into the sky, presenting a terrifying sight. (21)
samutpatantaṅ samabhidravadbalī sa rākṣasānāṅ pravaraḥ pratāpavān | rathī rathiśrēṣṭhatamaḥ kiranśaraiḥ payōdharaśśailamivāśmavṛṣṭibhiḥ || 22
As the hero leaped into the sky, Akṣakumāra showered him with arrows, much like a storm cloud unleashing a hail of stones upon a mountain. (22)
sa tānśarāṅstasya harivrimōkṣayaṅ cacāra vīraḥ pathi vāyusēvitē | śarāntarē mārutavadviniṣpatan manōjavassaṅyati caṇḍavikramaḥ || 23
The brave Hanumān, skillfully evading the arrows, moved along the path of the sky with the speed of thought. (23)
Section 4: Hanumān’s Decision to Slay the Prince (Shlokas 24–30)
tamāttabāṇāsanamāhavōnmukhaṅ khamāstṛṇantaṅ viśikhaiśśarōttamaiḥ | avaikṣatākṣaṅ bahumānacakṣuṣā jagāma cintāṅ ca sa mārutātmajaḥ || 24
Hanumān watched Akṣakumāra covering the sky with arrows. He regarded the young prince with respect, yet fell into deep thought considering such a fierce display of might from one so youthful. (24)
tataśśarairbhinnabhujāntaraḥ kapiḥ kumāravīrēṇa mahātmanā nadan | mahābhujaḥ karmaviśēṣatattvavit vicintayāmāsa raṇē parākramam || 25
Hanumān, whose chest was pierced by arrows, roared fiercely and began to contemplate his strategy. (25)
abālavadbāladivākaraprabhaḥ karōtyayaṅ karma mahanmahābalaḥ | na cāsya sarvāhavakarmaśōbhinaḥ pramāpaṇē mē matiratra jāyatē || 26
ayaṅ mahātmā ca mahāṅśca vīryataḥ samāhitaścātisahaśca saṅyugē | asaṅśayaṅ karmaguṇōdayādayaṅ sanāgayakṣairmunibhiśca pūjitaḥ || 27
"This mighty one performs feats far from being childlike. I do not feel the desire to destroy him. This great soul is mighty in valor and will surely be honored by sages." (26 - 27)
parākramōtsāhavivṛddhamānasaḥ samīkṣatē māṅ pramukhāgrataḥsthitaḥ | parākramō hyasya manāṅsi kampayēt surāsurāṇāmapi śīghragāminaḥ || 28
na khalvayaṅ nābhibhavēdupēkṣitaḥ parākramō hyasya raṇē vivardhatē | pramāpaṇaṅ tvēva mamādya rōcatē na vardhamānō.gnirupēkṣituṅ kṣamaḥ || 29
"His valor would cause even gods to tremble. He must not be ignored, for his strength grows. His destruction is now my only choice, as a growing fire cannot be neglected." (28 - 29)
iti pravēgaṅ tu parasya tarkayan svakarmayōgaṅ ca vidhāya vīryavān | cakāra vēgaṅ tu mahābalastadā matiṅ ca cakrē.sya vadhē mahākapiḥ || 30
Thus, Hanumān gathered his immense power and resolved to bring about Akṣakumāra's destruction. (30)
sa tasya tānaṣṭahayānmahājavān samāhitānbhārasahānvivartanē | jaghāna vīraḥ pathi vāyusēvitē talaprahāraiḥ pavanātmajaḥ kapiḥ || 31
In the sky, Hanumān killed the eight swift horses of the prince's chariot with powerful blows of his palm. (31)
tatastalēnābhihatō mahāratha sa tasya piṅgādhipamantrinirjitaḥ | prabhagnanīḍaḥ parimuktakūbaraḥ papāta bhūmau hatavājirambarāt || 32
With its horses slain and framework shattered, the prince fell from the sky to the ground. (32)
sa taṅ parityajya mahārathō rathaṅ sakārmukaḥ khaṅgadharaḥ khamutpatan | tapō.bhiyōgādṛṣirugravīryavān vihāya dēhaṅ marutāmivālayam || 33
Akṣakumāra abandoned his chariot and leaped into the sky, armed with bow and sword, like a powerful sage ascending to heaven. (33)
tataḥ kapistaṅ vicarantamambarē patatrirājānilasiddhasēvitē | samētya taṅ mārutatulyavikramaḥ kramēṇa jagrāha sa pādayōrdṛḍham || 34
Hanumān, moving through the sky, approached him and firmly seized him by the feet. (34)
sa taṅ samāvidhya sahasraśaḥ kapiḥ mahōragaṅ gṛhya ivāṇḍajēśvaraḥ | mumōca vēgātpitṛtulyavikramō mahītalē saṅyati vānarōttamaḥ || 35
Like Garuḍa seizing a serpent, Hanumān whirled him a thousand times before smashing the prince with immense force onto the ground. (35)
sa bhagnabāhūrukaṭīśirōdharaḥ kṣarannasṛṅinarmathitāsthilōcanaḥ | **sambhagnasandhiḥ pravikīrṇabandhanō ** hataḥ kṣitau vāyusutēna rākṣasaḥ || 36
Slain, the Rākṣasa fell lifeless; his limbs were broken, his joints shattered, and his bones crushed. (36)
mahākapirbhūmitalē nipīḍya taṅ cakāra rakṣōdhipatērmahadbhayam | maharṣibhiścakracarairmahāvrataiḥ samētya bhūtaiśca sayakṣapannagaiḥ || 37
By utterly crushing him, Hanumān instilled immense fear in Rāvaṇa. This deed was witnessed by assembled sages, Yakṣas, and Pannagas. (37)
nihatya taṅ vajrisutōpamaprabhaṅ kumāramakṣaṅ kṣatajōpamēkṣaṇaḥ | tadēva vīrō.bhijagāma tōraṇaṅ kṛtakṣaṇaḥ kāla iva prajākṣayē || 38
Having slain Prince Akṣa, the hero (Hanumān) proceeded back to the entrance gate, resembling the God of Time poised for annihilation. (38)
ityārśe śrīmadramāyaṇe vālmīkīye ādikāvye suṃdarakaṃde saptacatvāriṁśassargaḥ
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