Shloka 3.28.33

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

Devanagari script

तत्कर्म रामस्य महारथस्य समेत्य देवाश्च महर्षयश्च।अपूजयन्प्राञ्जलयः प्रहृष्टाः तदा विमानाग्रगतास्समेताः।।।।

Transliteration

vikṛṣya balavac cāpaṃ nārācān raktabhojanān |

kharaś cikṣepa rāmāya kruddhān āśīviṣān iva ||

Translation

Drawing his powerful bow to the full, Khara, in fury, hurled at Rama barbed arrows—blood-seeking like enraged venomous serpents.

Context

Then the gods, along with great sages came down in aerial chariots and assembled there. Delighted, they adored Rama, the great warrior, with folded hands for the work done.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkiya ādikāvyē araṇyakāṇḍē aṣṭāviṅśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the twentyeigth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Khara
• Rama
• bow
• nārāca arrows

FAQs

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

The verse frames adharma as aggressive, uncontrolled violence driven by anger; it implicitly contrasts with the disciplined, duty-bound combat expected of a righteous warrior.

What is the narrative situation?

In the Aranya battle, Khara initiates a fierce arrow-assault on Rama, drawing his bow fully and launching deadly missiles.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast (implicitly), Rama’s steadiness and readiness to meet violence with measured martial competence—kṣātra-tejas under restraint.