Shloka 6.44.17
चतुश्चत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 44): निशायुद्धम्, धूलिरुधिरप्रवाहः, इन्द्रजितो मायायुद्धम्
ततस्तेराक्षसास्तत्रतस्मिंस्तमसिदारुणे ।।।।राममेवाभ्यवर्तन्तसम्हृष्टाश्शरवृष्टिभिः ।
anyonyaṃ baddhavairāṇāṃ ghorāṇāṃ jayam icchatām | sampravṛttaṃ niśāyuddhaṃ tadā vānararakṣasām ||
Then the Vānaras and the fearsome Rākṣasas—bound in mutual enmity and each longing for victory—began their battle in the night.
Thereafter in that exceedingly fearsome dark night in the battlefield highly delighted Rakshasas assailed Rama with a rain of arrows.
Dharma here is framed as disciplined engagement in a justly-motivated struggle: both sides pursue victory, but the epic invites the reader to evaluate which side’s cause aligns with righteousness.
The fighting continues after dark; the conflict escalates into a formal night-battle between the Vānara forces and the Rākṣasas.
Collective valor and resolve (utsāha/śaurya) are emphasized—armies persist despite the terrors and confusion of night combat.