Shloka 3.28.11

खररामयुद्धम् — The Battle of Khara and Rama (Aranya Kanda, Sarga 28)

Devanagari script

तं रथस्थं धनुष्पाणिं राक्षसं पर्यवस्थितम्।ददृशुस्सर्वभूतानि पाशहस्तमिवान्तकम्।।।।

Transliteration

taṃ rathasthaṃ dhanuṣpāṇiṃ rākṣasaṃ paryavasthitam | dadṛśuḥ sarvabhūtāni pāśahastam ivāntakam ||3.28.11||

Translation

All beings beheld that rākṣasa, stationed upon his chariot with bow in hand, like Death himself holding a noose.

Context

Demon Khara positioned on the chariot, bow in hand, appeared to all beings like Yama, god of death holding the noose.

Characters & Entities

• Khara
• Rākṣasa
• Chariot
• Bow
• Antaka (Death/Yama)
• Pāśa (noose)

FAQs

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

Power that terrifies the world is not automatically righteous; Dharma evaluates authority by justice and protection, not by fearsome appearance.

What is the narrative situation?

Khara’s formidable battlefield posture is described with a cosmic comparison to Death bearing the noose.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not a virtue but awe-inspiring martial presence—an external might that can be misread as ultimate authority.