Shloka 3.28.21

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

Devanagari script

सुमहद्वैष्णवं यत्तदतिसृष्टं महर्षिणा।वरं तद्धनुरुद्यम्य खरं समभिधावत।।।।

Transliteration

sumahad vaiṣṇavaṃ yat tad atisṛṣṭaṃ maharṣiṇā |

varaṃ tad dhanuḥ udyamya kharaṃ samabhidhāvata ||

Translation

Lifting that supremely excellent Vaiṣṇava bow, bestowed by a great sage, Rama rushed straight at Khara.

Context

Thereafter Rama advanced, aiming at Khara the superior Vaishnava bow given by sage Agastya.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Khara
• Vaiṣṇava bow
• Maharṣi (Agastya, per wider episode/tradition)

FAQs

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

Divine gifts serve dharma, not ego: sacred weapons are to be used to restore moral order, and Rama employs the Vaiṣṇava bow to end a destructive aggressor.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama takes up the famed Vaiṣṇava bow (given by a sage in the broader narrative) and charges Khara to bring the battle to a conclusion.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Purposeful courage: Rama advances with confidence grounded in righteous duty rather than mere aggression.