The Rámáyan of Válmíki

Mahodar

Family: Rákshases · Role: Rávaṇ’s subordinate · First appears: Book VI, Canto 29 · Sárdúla Captured

In Book VI, Canto 29, Rávaṇ ordered Mahodar to find more faithful spies, and the spies went with Śárdúla to investigate the enemy’s plans. In Canto 36, Rávaṇ assigned him to defend the southern gate, where Mahápárśva was to support him.

In Canto 64, Mahodar declared that he and other leading Rákshases would strike Ráma. After Kumbhakarṇa died in Canto 68, Mahodar mourned his brother with Mahápárśva. In Canto 70, Níla crushed Mahodar beneath a mountain, and he “fell to rise no more.” In Canto 96, he fought in a single combat against Sugríva or Angad, as the Vánars battled the giants.

Relationship record

Life events

  • Rávaṇ orders Mahodar to bring him more faithful spies.(Book VI, Canto 29 · Sárdúla Captured)
    • With: Rávaṇ
    • “The giant monarch turned and cried To strong Mahodar at his side: ‘Go thou, and spies more faithful bring. More duteous to their lord the king.’”
  • Rávaṇ sends Śárdúla and the spies to investigate the enemy's plans.(Book VI, Canto 29 · Sárdúla Captured)
    • With: Rávaṇ Śárdúla
    • “With joy they heard the words he said: Then with Śárdúla at their head About the giant king they went With circling paces reverent.”
  • Rávaṇ assigns his commanders to defend the city gates and takes charge of the north.(Book VI, Canto 36 · Rávan’s Reply)
    • With: Rávaṇ Prahasta Mahápárśva Indrajít Sáraṇ Śuka
    • “He bade the chief Prahasta wait, Commander at the eastern gate, To fierce Mahodar, strong and brave, To keep the southern gate, he gave, Where Mahápárśva’s might should aid The chieftain with his hosts arrayed. To guard the west—no chief more fit— He placed the warrior Indrajít, His son, the giant’s joy and boast, Surrounded by a Rákshas host: And mighty Sáraṇ hastened forth With Śuka to protect the north. ‘I will myself,’ the monarch cried, ‘Be present on the northern side.’”
  • Níla crushed Mahodar beneath a mountain.(Book VI, Canto 70 · The Death Of Trisirás)
    • With: Níla
    • “Crushed by the hill, distained with gore, Mahodar fell to rise no more.”
  • Sugríva and Angad fight three single combats against the giants, who fall one in each canto.(Book VI, Canto 96 · Rávan’s Sally)
    • With: Sugríva Angad Virúpáksha Mahápárśva
    • “three single combats between Sugríva and Angad on the Vánar side and Virúpáksha, Mahodar, and Mahápárśva on the side of the giants. The weapons of the Vánars are trees and rocks; the giants fight with swords, axes, and bows and arrows. The details are generally the same as those of preceding duels. The giants fall, one in each Canto.”

Book VI, Canto 29 · Sárdúla Captured

  • lord: Rávaṇ “The giant monarch turned and cried To strong Mahodar at his side: ‘Go thou, and spies more faithful bring. More duteous to their lord the king.’”

Book VI, Canto 36 · Rávan’s Reply

  • lord: Rávaṇ “To fierce Mahodar, strong and brave, To keep the southern gate, he gave,”

Book VI, Canto 37 · Preparations

  • lord: Rávaṇ “All these are chiefs whom Rávaṇ chose As mightiest to resist his foes;”

Book VI, Canto 64 · Mahodar’s Speech

  • lord: Rávaṇ “But, Rávaṇ, shall the lady still Refuse compliance with thy will? No, listen, King, to this design Which soon shall make the captive thine.”
  • enemies with Ráma “This day through Lanká’s streets proclaim That four of us of highest fame With Kumbhakarṇa at our head Will strike the son of Raghu dead.”

Book VI, Canto 65 · Kumbhakarna’s Speech

  • lord: Rávaṇ “Mahodar fears and fain would shun The battle with Ikshváku’s son.”

Book VI, Canto 68 · Rávan’s Lament

  • siblings with Kumbhakarṇa “Mahodar, Mahápárśva shed Hot tears and mourned their brother dead.”

Book VI, Canto 70 · The Death Of Trisirás

  • enemies with Angad “He slew the mighty beast that bore Mahodar: from his head he tore A bleeding tusk, and blow on blow Fell fiercely on his Rákshas foe.”
  • enemies with Níla “Fierce Triśirás with fury strained His bow, and showers of arrows rained That smote on Níla’s side and chest: He sank a moment, sore distressed; But quickly gathered strength to seize A mountain with its crown of trees. Crushed by the hill, distained with gore, Mahodar fell to rise no more.”

Book VI, Canto 96 · Rávan’s Sally

  • enemies with Sugríva “three single combats between Sugríva and Angad on the Vánar side and Virúpáksha, Mahodar, and Mahápárśva on the side of the giants.”
  • enemies with Angad “three single combats between Sugríva and Angad on the Vánar side and Virúpáksha, Mahodar, and Mahápárśva on the side of the giants.”

Book VI, Canto 100 · Rávan In The Field

  • enemies with Angad (The passage places Angad and Sugríva's fighting alongside the named warriors' deaths.) “Still Angad and Sugríva, wrought To fury, for the Vánars fought. Crushed with huge rocks through chest and side Mahodar, Mahápárśva died, And Virúpáksha stained with gore Dropped on the plain to rise no more.”
  • enemies with Sugríva (The passage places Angad and Sugríva's fighting alongside the named warriors' deaths.) “Still Angad and Sugríva, wrought To fury, for the Vánars fought. Crushed with huge rocks through chest and side Mahodar, Mahápárśva died, And Virúpáksha stained with gore Dropped on the plain to rise no more.”

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