Shloka 13
त्रिशिरोवधः (The Slaying of Triśiras)
Araṇyakāṇḍa, Sarga 27
ममापि प्रतिगृह्णीष्व शरांश्चापगुणाच्च्युतान्। एवमुक्त्वा तु संरब्धश्शरानाशीविषोपमान्।3.27.13।।त्रिशिरोवक्षसि क्रुद्धो निजघान चतुर्दश।
mamāpi pratigṛhṇīṣva śarāṃś cāpa-guṇāc cyutān | evam uktvā tu saṃrabdhaḥ śarān āśīviṣopamān | triśiro-vakṣasi kruddho nijaghāna caturdaśa ||
„Empfange auch du die Pfeile, die von der Sehne meines Bogens geschnellt sind.“ Nach diesen Worten traf der erzürnte und wild erregte Rāma Triśiras mit vierzehn Pfeilen, die giftigen Schlangen glichen, mitten in die Brust.
Receive the arrows released from my bow-string. Saying so, the angry and agitated Rama discharged fourteen arrows, venomous like a snake, on the chest of Trisira .
FAQs
Dharma as proportionate, duty-bound response: Rāma answers an attack with decisive counterforce aimed at ending the threat, not with deceit—his words and action align (satya in intent).
Rāma verbally challenges Triśiras and immediately follows with a powerful volley of fourteen arrows to the chest.
Determination and follow-through: Rāma’s speech is not empty bravado; it is matched by effective action.