Shloka 3.9.9
सीताया धर्मोपदेशः—शस्त्रसंयोगदोषकथा (Sita’s Counsel on Dharma and the Peril of Weapon-Association)
तृतीयं यदिदं रौद्रं परप्राणाभिहिंसनम्।।3.9.9।।निर्वैरं क्रियते मोहात्तच्च ते समुपस्थितम्।
tṛtīyaṁ yad idaṁ raudraṁ para-prāṇābhihiṁsanam |
nirvairaṁ kriyate mohāt tac ca te samupasthitam || 3.9.9 ||
But the third fault—this fierce impulse to harm the lives of others even without enmity—is born of delusion; and that has now come upon you.
(But) you are a victim to the third (vice born of lust) i.e. showing violence without cause for enmity
It cautions that harming others without just cause or rightful enmity is a delusion-driven lapse from dharma, even for a virtuous person.
The speaker shifts from praise of Rama’s virtues to a warning: a “third” dangerous impulse—unwarranted violence—has appeared in the present situation.
Viveka (discriminative judgment) is implied: righteous strength must be guided by clarity, not by moha leading to unnecessary harm.