Shloka 3.26.26
दूषणवधः (The Slaying of Dūṣaṇa and the Rout of Khara’s Host)
एवमुक्त्वा खरः क्रुद्धो राममेवाभिदुद्रुवे।श्येनगामी पृथुग्रीवो यज्ञशत्रुर्विहङ्गमः।।।।दुर्जयः करवीराक्षः परुषः कालकार्मुकः।मेघमाली महामाली सर्पास्यो रुधिराशनः।।।।द्वादशैते महावीर्या बलाध्यक्षास्ससैनिकाः।राममेवाभ्यधावन्त विसृजन्तश्शरोत्तमान्।।।।
evam uktvā kharaḥ kruddho rāmam evābhidudruve |
śyenagāmī pṛthugrīvo yajñaśatrur vihaṅgamaḥ ||
durjayaḥ karavīrākṣaḥ paruṣaḥ kālakārmukaḥ |
meghamālī mahāmālī sarpāsyo rudhirāśanaḥ ||
dvādaśaite mahāvīryā balādhyakṣāḥ sa-sainikāḥ |
rāmam evābhyadhāvanta visṛjantaḥ śarottamān ||
Having spoken thus, Khara, enraged, charged straight at Rāma. With him rushed twelve mighty commanders with their troops—Śyenagāmī, Pṛthugrīva, Yajñaśatru, Vihaṅgama, Durjaya, Karavīrākṣa, Paruṣa, Kālakārmuka, Meghamālī, Mahāmālī, Sarpāsya, and Rudhirāśana—hurling volleys of excellent arrows at Rāma alone.
Having spoken thus, angry Khara ran towards Rama. Syenagami, Pruthugriva, Yajnasatru, Vihanga, Durjaya, Karaveeraksha, Parusha, Kalakarmuka, Meghamali, Mahamali, Sarpasya, Rudhirasana-all these twelve valiant army chiefs along with their forces rushed towards Rama, releasing the sharpest arrows at him.
The verse sets the stage for dharma-tested combat: many unite to strike one, raising the theme that power without righteousness becomes mere aggression.
Khara personally advances, accompanied by twelve named commanders and their units, all concentrating their attack on Rāma.
Rāma’s implied steadfastness—he is singled out as the sole target, underscoring the coming trial of endurance and righteous strength.