Shloka 3.21.3
खर-शूर्पणखा-संवादः | Khara and Surpanakha: Lament, Reproach, and the Janasthana Crisis
भक्ताश्चैवानुरक्ताश्च हिताश्च मम नित्यशः।हन्यमाना न हन्यन्ते न न कुर्युर्वचो मम।।।।
bhaktāś caivānuraktāś ca hitāś ca mama nityaśaḥ | hanyamānā na hanyante na na kuryur vaco mama ||
They are devoted to me, attached to me, and ever my well-wishers. Even when struck, they are not slain, and they never fail to carry out my command.
They are loyal and faithful to me. They are always my well-wishers. Even when attacked, they cannot be killed. They never fail to carry out my orders.
It warns against moha (delusion) and arrogance: believing one’s power to be absolute leads to adharma and downfall. Dharma requires humility and truth-based appraisal of strength.
Khara asserts confidence in his followers—claiming their loyalty and near-invincibility—while the conflict with Rama is being set in motion.
The verse foregrounds loyalty and obedience, but as a cautionary example: loyalty becomes ethically dangerous when used to execute unrighteous orders.