Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 110, Shloka 11
रामरावणयोर्युद्धवैषम्यं तथा रावणशिरश्छेदनम्
Rama–Ravana Duel Intensifies; Ravana’s Heads Severed and Reappear
चिक्षेप च पुनर्भाणान्वज्रपातसमस्वनान् ।।।।सारथिंवज्रहस्तस्यसमुद्दिश्यदशाननः ।
cikṣepa ca punar bāṇān vajrapātasama-svanān |
sārathiṃ vajrahastasya samuddiśya daśānanaḥ ||
Then Daśānana, whose hands were like thunderbolts, again hurled arrows that roared like lightning-strikes, aiming at Mātali, the charioteer of the thunderbolt-armed warrior, Rāma.
Even though the arrows fell on Matali's body at great speed, he did not feel perturbed or experience even slight suffering.
FAQs
The verse highlights a contrast: dharmic combat prioritizes rightful targets and fairness, while targeting the charioteer suggests a lapse toward adharma—an attempt to weaken the opponent indirectly.
Rāvaṇa intensifies the duel by shooting thunderous arrows specifically at Mātali, Rāma’s charioteer.
By implication, Rāma’s reliance on a righteous ally (Mātali) and the importance of loyal service; the verse also foregrounds Rāvaṇa’s aggressive, destabilizing strategy.