Shloka 3.28.30
खररामयुद्धम् — The Battle of Khara and Rama (Aranya Kanda, Sarga 28)
ततोऽस्य युगमेकेन चतुर्भिश्चतुरो हयान्।षष्ठेन तु शिरस्सङ्ख्ये खरस्य रथसारथेः।।3.28.29।।त्रिभिस्त्रिवेणुं बलवान्द्वाभ्यामक्षं महाबलः।द्वादशेन तु बाणेन खरस्य सशरं धनुः।।3.28.30।।छित्वा वज्रनिकाशेन राघवः प्रहसन्निव।त्रयोदशेनेन्द्रसमो बिभेद समरे खरम्।।3.28.31।।
sa dṛṣṭvā rākṣasaṃ sainyam aviṣahyaṃ mahābalaḥ |
hatam ekena rāmeṇa triśiro-dūṣaṇāv api ||
tad balaṃ hata-bhūyiṣṭhaṃ vimanāḥ prekṣya rākṣasaḥ |
āsasāda kharo rāmaṃ namucir vāsavaṃ yathā ||
Seeing his irrepressible rākṣasa host cut down—and even Triśiras and Dūṣaṇa slain by Rama alone—Khara, shaken at the sight of his force largely destroyed, advanced upon Rama for battle, like Namuci approaching Vāsava (Indra).
Rama, like Indra, strong and mighty, broke the yoke of Khara's chariot with one arrow, the four horses with four arrows, and with the sixth the charioteer's head, with three others the main pole of the chariot, with two the axle of the chariot, and with the twelfth Khara's bow and arrows were splintered. As if laughing at him, he pierced Khara's body with the thirteenth arrow.
Dharma’s strength is shown as protective and singularly effective: when righteousness is embodied, even overwhelming adharma-driven force collapses, revealing the moral fragility of unjust power.
After witnessing the destruction of his army and key commanders, Khara personally advances to confront Rama.
Rama’s heroic efficacy aligned with dharma—he defeats major threats singlehandedly, establishing moral and martial authority.