Shloka 3.23.24

महोत्पात-लक्षणानि (Omens before Khara’s Assault)

Devanagari script

देवराजमपि क्रुद्धो मत्तैरावतयायिनम्।।।।वज्रहस्तं रणे हन्यां किं पुनस्तौ कुमानुषौ।

Transliteration

dēvarājam api kruddhō mattairāvatayāyinam | vajrahastaṃ raṇē hanyāṃ kiṃ punas tau kumānuṣau ||

Translation

If wrath should rise in me, I would slay even the king of the gods in battle—vajra in hand, riding the intoxicated Airāvata; what then of those two mere humans?

Context

When angry, I can kill even (Indra) the wielder of the thunderbolt, rider of the intoxicated Airavata and lord of the gods. What to speak of these two petty humans?

Characters & Entities

• Khara
• Indra (Devarāja)
• Airāvata
• Vajra

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma opposes arrogance that challenges rightful cosmic authority; contempt for others (calling them “mere humans”) is ethically corrosive.

What is the narrative situation?

Khara escalates his boast, claiming he could kill even Indra, so defeating Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa should be easy.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence and humility are the implied virtues; Khara’s speech foregrounds the vice of pride.