Shloka 3.26.23

दूषणवधः (The Slaying of Dūṣaṇa and the Rout of Khara’s Host)

Devanagari script

दूषणं निहतं दृष्ट्वा तस्य चैव पदानुगान्।।।।व्यादिदेश खरः क्रुद्धः सेनाध्यक्षान्महाबलान्।

Transliteration

sthūlākṣasyākṣiṇī tīkṣṇaiḥ pūrayāmāsa sāyakaiḥ |

dūṣaṇasyānugān pañca-sahasrān kupitaḥ kṣaṇāt ||

bāṇaughaiḥ pañca-sāhasrair anayat yama-sādanam ||

Translation

He pierced Sthūlākṣa’s eyes with sharp arrows; then, in a flash of righteous fury, he felled the five thousand followers of Dūṣaṇa with torrents of shafts, sending them to Yama’s abode.

Context

Seeing Dusana and his followers killed, enraged Khara commanded his extremely strong army chiefs this way:

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sthulaksha (Sthūlākṣa)
• Dusana (Dūṣaṇa)
• Yama

FAQs

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

Dharma is protective justice: force is used decisively to end ongoing violent threat, not for cruelty, restoring safety in the forest.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma continues the battle, disables Sthūlākṣa, and annihilates Dūṣaṇa’s large contingent swiftly with arrow volleys.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Martial competence joined with purposeful resolve—swift action to prevent further harm.