Shloka 20
दूषणवधः
The Slaying of Dūṣaṇa and the Rout of Khara’s Host
महाकपालस्य शिरश्चिच्छेद परमेषुभिः।।।।असङ्ख्येयैस्तु बाणौघैः प्रममाथ प्रमाथिनम्।स पपात हतो भूमौ विटपीव महाद्रुमः।।।।
mahākapālasya śiraś ciccheda parameṣubhiḥ |
asaṅkhyeyais tu bāṇaughaiḥ pramamātha pramāthinam |
sa papāta hato bhūmau viṭapīva mahādrumaḥ ||
Mit erhabenen Pfeilen schlug er Mahākapāla das Haupt ab; und mit einer unzählbaren Flut von Geschossen zerschmetterte er Pramāthī. Erschlagen stürzte er zur Erde wie ein mächtiger Baum mit weit ausladenden Ästen.
Mahakapala's head was cut to pieces with sharp arrows and Pramathi was killed with a countless series of arrows. Pramathi's body, like a huge tree with many branches collapsed on the ground.
FAQs
Protection through decisive action: when threats persist, dharma may require firm, conclusive measures to restore safety and moral order.
Rāma neutralizes two of the three commanders: Mahākapāla is beheaded, and Pramāthī is overwhelmed by a massive volley and falls dead.
Strategic potency and steadiness—Rāma applies appropriate force efficiently to end ongoing aggression.