Shloka 3.25.29

खरसेनासङ्ग्रामः — The Battle with Khara’s Host at the Hermitage

Devanagari script

अवशिष्टाश्च ये तत्र विषण्णाश्च निशाचराः।खरमेवाभ्यधावन्त शरणार्थं शरार्दिताः।।।।

Transliteration

avaśiṣṭāś ca ye tatra viṣaṇṇāś ca niśācarāḥ | kharam evābhyadhāvanta śaraṇārthaṃ śarārditāḥ ||

Translation

Those night-rovers who remained there—arrow-struck and despairing—ran only to Khara, seeking refuge.

Context

The rest of the demons hit by the arrows ran desperate towards Khara for refuge.

Characters & Entities

• Khara
• niśācarāḥ (rākṣasas)
• Rāma (implied as archer)
• śara (arrows)

FAQs

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

It contrasts true refuge (dharma) with false refuge (adharma): the defeated seek protection in their commander rather than turning from wrongdoing.

What is the narrative situation?

Survivors, wounded and shaken, retreat toward Khara to regroup under his protection.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s steadfastness indirectly—his pressure breaks the enemy’s morale and cohesion.