Shloka 3.67.19
जटायुवृत्तान्तः — Jatāyu’s Testimony and Rāma’s Grief
अयं तु सारथिस्तस्य मत्पक्षनिहतो युधि।परिश्रान्तस्य मे पक्षौ छित्त्वा खड्गेन रावणः।।।।सीतामादाय वैदेहीमुत्पपात विहायसम्।रक्षसा निहतं पूर्वं न मां हन्तुं त्वमर्हसि।।।।
sannigṛhya mahābāhuḥ pravṛttaṃ kopam ātmanaḥ |
avaṣṭabhya dhanuś citraṃ rāmo lakṣmaṇam abravīt ||
Mastering the anger that had surged up within him, the mighty-armed Rāma steadied himself upon his wondrous bow and spoke to Lakṣmaṇa.
He is Ravana's charioteer slain by my wings in the battle. As I was exhausted in the encounter Ravana clipped my wings, took Sita, and flew into the sky. You need not kill me. I am already slain by the demon.
Dharma here emphasizes self-mastery: even when anger arises, a righteous person restrains it and acts with deliberation rather than impulse.
In the aftermath of a shocking turn of events in the forest, Rāma checks his rising fury and prepares to speak to Lakṣmaṇa with purpose.
Rāma’s virtue of kṣānti and dama (forbearance and self-control) is highlighted—his ability to govern emotion in crisis.