Shloka 3.28.14
खररामयुद्धम् — The Battle of Khara and Rama (Aranya Kanda, Sarga 28)
ततः सूर्यनिकाशेन रथेन महता खरः।आससाद रणे रामं पतङ्ग इव पावकम्।।।।
tataḥ sūryanikāśena rathena mahatā kharaḥ | āsasāda raṇe rāmaṃ pataṅga iva pāvakam ||3.28.14||
Then Khara, upon a great chariot radiant like the sun, closed in on Rāma in battle—like a moth rushing into fire.
Then Khara mounting a great chariot which was glowing like the Sun, advanced towards Rama just as an insect hurtles towards fire.
Adharma driven by pride and rage tends toward self-destruction; the moth-to-flame image teaches that unwise aggression against righteousness consumes the aggressor.
Khara personally charges Rāma directly, despite the ominous signs and prior losses.
By contrast, Rāma’s steadfastness is implied; Khara’s rashness and hubris are foregrounded through the fatal simile.