Shloka 3.30.1
खरवधः — The Slaying of Khara (Janasthana Battle Climax)
भित्त्वा तु तां गदां बाणै राघवो धर्मवत्सलः।स्मयमानः खरं वाक्यं संरब्धमिदमब्रवीत्।।।।
bhittvā tu tāṃ gadāṃ bāṇaiḥ rāghavo dharmavatsalaḥ | smayamānaḥ kharaṃ vākyaṃ saṃrabdham idam abravīt || 3.30.1 ||
But Rāghava, devoted to dharma, shattered that mace with his arrows; and smiling at Khara, he spoke these charged words.
Rama, fond of dharma, broke into pieces Khara's mace with his arrows, and smiling at bewildered Khara, said:
Dharma-guided strength: Rāma’s martial action is presented as righteous defense, not aggression for its own sake—power is exercised under moral commitment.
In the Janasthāna battle, Rāma breaks Khara’s mace with arrows and begins addressing him directly.
Composure under pressure: even amid combat, Rāma remains confident and controlled, signaling mastery rather than rage.