Shloka 3.27.17

त्रिशिरोवधः (The Slaying of Triśiras) — Araṇyakāṇḍa, Sarga 27

Devanagari script

सायकैश्चाप्रमेयात्मा सामर्षस्तस्य रक्षसः।।3.27.17।।शिरांस्यपातयद्रामो वेगवद्भिस्त्रिभिश्शितैः।

Transliteration

ahaṁ vāsyā raṇe mṛtyur eṣa vā samare mama | vinivṛtya raṇotsāhān muhūrtaṁ prāśniko bhava || 3.27.4 ||

Translation

“Either I shall be his death in battle, or he shall be mine in war. Hold back your eagerness to fight for a moment and sit as an umpire—watch who kills whom.”

Context

The mighty Rama in fury dismembered the heads of that demon with three sharp and swift arrows.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Khara

FAQs

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

The verse contrasts disciplined judgment with impulsive aggression. Dharma in conflict includes restraint and discernment, not mere enthusiasm for violence.

What is the narrative situation?

The commander challenges Rāma and tells Khara to pause and observe as a referee, confident that one of them will certainly fall.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fearlessness is asserted, but the verse also implicitly teaches the virtue of self-restraint (nigraha) as a higher control in warfare.