Shloka 3.28.31
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।।
chitvā vajranikāśena rāghavaḥ prahasann iva |
trayodaśenendrasamo bibheda samare kharam ||3.28.31||
Having shattered his weapons and chariot-parts with a thunderbolt-like arrow, Rāghava—almost as if smiling—then, like Indra himself, pierced Khara in the midst of battle with the thirteenth arrow.
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.
Rāma’s decisive, disciplined action represents dharma as protection of the righteous and restraint against adharma: he ends Khara’s violence swiftly, without cruelty, restoring moral order in the forest region.
Satya here is fidelity to one’s vowed duty: Rāma acts consistently with his truthful commitment to protect sages and uphold justice; his conduct matches his stated purpose, showing truth as integrity in action.