Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 15, Shloka 14
पञ्चदशः सर्गः — देवकृत-प्रार्थना, रावणवधोपायः, विष्णोः मानुषावतारनियोजनम्
Sarga 15: The Devas’ Petition, the Means to Slay Ravana, and Vishnu’s Commission to Incarnate as Man
नाकीर्तयदवज्ञानात्तद्रक्षो मानुषान् प्रति।तस्मात्स मानुषाद्वध्यो मृत्युर्नान्योऽस्य विद्यते।।1.15.14।।
nākīrtayad avajñānāt tad rakṣo mānuṣān prati | tasmāt sa mānuṣād vadhyo mṛtyur nānyo ’sya vidyate ||
But that rākṣasa, out of contempt, did not mention humans in his request; therefore he is killable by a human—there is no other death for him.
"The rakshasa did not include man monkey and bear because of his disdain for men. As such he is fit to be destroyed by a man and not by any other means".
FAQs
Adharma rooted in arrogance carries its own weakness: contempt (avajñā) blinds one to reality, and dharma restores balance through that overlooked opening.
Brahmā reveals the “loophole” in the boon—humans were not included—so the rākṣasa’s destruction must come through a human agent.
The verse emphasizes the corrective nature of dharma: pride is checked, and justice becomes possible through the very error pride creates.