Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 71, Shloka 44
अतिकायवधः
The Slaying of Atikāya
सराक्षसेन्द्रोहरिसैन्यमध्येनायुध्यमानंनिजघानकञ्चित् ।उपेत्यरामंसधम: कलापी स गर्वितंवाक्यमिदंबभाषे ।।।।
sa rākṣasendro hari-sainya-madhye nāyudhyamānaṃ nijaghāna kañcit | upetya rāmaṃ sa-dhanuḥ kalāpī sa garvitaṃ vākyam idaṃ babhāṣe || 6.71.44 ||
In the midst of the Vānara host, the lord of rākṣasas did not strike down anyone who was not fighting; then, bow in hand and quiver on his back, he approached Rāma and spoke these proud words.
The Rakshasa lord, wielding a weapon in the midst of the monkey army, indeed did not strike any, but armed with bow and quiver went with pride towards Rama and spoke.
FAQs
A key war-ethic is stated: one should not strike those who are not engaged in fighting. Even an adversary may observe limited battlefield propriety, though pride can still corrupt intent.
After pressing the Vānara forces, the rākṣasa leader refrains from killing noncombatants and instead advances to confront Rāma directly, issuing a boastful challenge.
A partial adherence to maryādā (combat rules)—restraint toward noncombatants—set beside the flaw of garva (arrogance).