Shloka 3.30.3
खरवधः — The Slaying of Khara (Janasthana Battle Climax)
एषा बाणविनिर्भिन्ना गदा भूमितलं गता।अभिधानप्रगल्भस्य तव प्रत्ययघातिनी।।।।
eṣā bāṇavinirbhinnā gadā bhūmitalaṃ gatā | abhidhānapragalbhasya tava pratyayaghātinī ||
Behold this mace—pierced and shattered by arrows—now lying upon the earth, shattering the pride and false confidence born of your boastful words.
The mace about which you boasted so much has betrayed your confidence. Shattered by my arrows it now lies on the ground.
Pride rooted in violence and boasting is ethically hollow; dharma prevails by truth-in-action, not by intimidation. The verse warns against arrogance that ignores moral law.
During the combat, Rāma points to the enemy’s fallen weapon as evidence that the opponent’s threats and confidence have been broken.
Tejas with restraint: Rāma’s strength is coupled with moral clarity, exposing the futility of adharma-driven bravado.