प्रहस्तवधः (The Slaying of Prahasta)
खडगशक्त्यृष्णिबाणाश्चशूलानिमुसलानिच ।।।।गदाश्चपरिघाःप्रासाविविधाश्चपरिश्वधाः ।नूंषिचविचित्राणिराक्षसानांजयैषिणाम् ।।।।प्रगृहीतान्यशोभन्तवानरानभिधावताम् ।
khaḍga-śakty-ṛṣṭi-bāṇāś ca śūlāni musalāni ca | gadāś ca parighāḥ prāsā vividhāś ca pariśvadhāḥ | nūṃṣi ca vicitrāṇi rākṣasānāṃ jayaiṣiṇām | pragṛhītāny aśobhanta vānarān abhidhāvatām ||
Seeking victory, the Rakshasas rushed upon the Vanaras; weapons of many kinds—swords, javelins, spears, arrows, tridents, mallets, maces, iron bars, and axes—were seized and gleamed as they charged.
The Rakshasas rushing towards Vanaras seeking victory, seizing swords, javelins, double edged swords, pikes, mallets, maces, iron bars, spears and bows of different kinds shone brightly.
The verse is descriptive, but it frames warfare as organized action; Dharma requires restraint and right purpose, not mere weaponry or victory-lust.
Rakshasa fighters arm themselves with diverse weapons and surge forward to attack the Vanara army.
Readiness and martial discipline are implied; the ethical contrast depends on whether such power serves Dharma or adharma.