Shloka 3.29.1

अरण्यकाण्डे एकोनत्रिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 29: Rama’s Admonition to Khara and the Shattering of the Mace)

Devanagari script

खरं तु विरथं रामो गदापाणिमवस्थितम्।मृदुपूर्वं महातेजाः परुषं वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।।।

Transliteration

pāpam ācaratāṃ ghoraṃ lokasyāpriyam icchatām |

aham āsādito rājā prāṇān hantuṃ niśācara ||

Translation

O night-roamer, by the king’s command I have come to end the lives of those who commit dreadful sin and desire what is hateful to the world.

Context

Effulgent Rama looked at Khara who stood with a mace in hand minus his chariot and said to him first in a gentle voice and then harshly :

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Khara
• king (Daśaratha implied as royal order/ideal of kingship)
• niśācara (rākṣasa category)

FAQs

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

Rājadharma: the ruler (and the prince acting for that order) must protect society by restraining and, when necessary, punishing grave wrongdoers.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama confronts Khara during the fight and states the moral-legal basis for his action: eliminating violent criminals who terrorize the world.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Commitment to justice and public welfare—Rama frames combat as duty, not personal vengeance.