Vajradaṃṣṭra

Overview

Griffith’s Vajradanshtra leads a new force from Lanka’s southern gate after Dhumraksha’s defeat. Rings decorate his arms; mail protects his waist, and a cap and coronet adorn his forehead. His golden chariot accompanies troops mounted on camels and horses as well as foot soldiers. Falling meteors and stumbling warriors accompany the departure as ominous signs.

When Angada intervenes to protect the vanaras, the captain’s arrows wound him and break an uprooted tree in flight. Angada destroys the chariot with a rock and strikes the giant with another mass of stone. Recovering, Vajradanshtra wounds his opponent’s thigh with a mace. They continue with fists and then swords and shields until, both exhausted and bleeding, Angada severs the rakshasa’s head.

Origins & earliest records

South Asian epic religious narrative

Records & interpretation

Directly read historical English epic witness; translator’s abridgements explicitly identified where used.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   The Ramayan of Valmiki

   Ralph T. H. Griffith (translator) · 1870–1874

   VI.53–54; title-page edition range, not epic composition date.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Historical primary epic translationGriffith, Ramayan — VI.53–54Research access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.