Shloka 3.28.16
खररामयुद्धम् — The Battle of Khara and Rama (Aranya Kanda, Sarga 28)
स पुनस्त्वपरान्सप्त शरानादाय वर्मणि।निजघान खरः क्रुद्धश्शक्राशनिसमप्रभान्।।।।
tato 'sya saśaraṃ cāpaṃ muṣṭi-deśe mahātmanaḥ |
kharaś ciccheda rāmasya darśayan pāṇi-lāghavam ||
Then, displaying swift dexterity of hand, Khara shattered Rāma’s bow—arrow still set—right at the grip, though Rāma was a great-souled warrior.
The influriated Khara this time took up seven arrows blazing like Indra's thunderbolt and hit his armour.
Dharma here is implicit in disciplined combat: skill and speed are shown within the rules of battle, emphasizing that prowess must be exercised with focus and responsibility, not mere cruelty.
In the duel, Khara lands a decisive technical strike, breaking Rama’s bow at the grip while the arrow is still set.
Martial competence (śaurya with kauśala): Khara’s hand-speed is highlighted, setting the stage for Rama’s composed response.