Shloka 3.28.9
खररामयुद्धम् — The Battle of Khara and Rama (Aranya Kanda, Sarga 28)
शरजालावृतस्सूर्यो न तदा स्म प्रकाशते।अन्योन्यवधसंरम्भादुभयोस्संप्रयुध्यतोः।।।।
kharaṃ tu virathaṃ rāmo gadāpāṇim avasthitam |
mṛdu-pūrvaṃ mahātejāḥ paruṣaṃ vākyam abravīt ||
But Rama—radiant in power—seeing Khara standing chariotless with mace in hand, addressed him: first gently, and then with stern words.
While they were engaged in the battle, eager to kill each other the sky was covered with arrow and the Sun could not be seen.
Dharma includes maryādā in speech: even in conflict, a righteous person can begin with restraint and only then use severity as needed for correction and justice.
After Khara loses his chariot and stands with a mace, Rama prepares to speak to him directly during the battle.
Rama’s measured conduct—control over tone and speech, balancing compassion with firmness.