Shloka 6.98.33
महोदरवधः (The Slaying of Mahodara)
लग्नमुत्कर्षतःखडगंखडगेनकपिकुञ्जरः ।।6.98.33।।जहारसशिरस्त्राणंकुण्डलोपहितंशिरः ।
lagnam utkarṣataḥ khaḍgaṃ khaḍgena kapikuñjaraḥ |
jahāra saśirastrāṇaṃ kuṇḍalopahitaṃ śiraḥ ||6.98.33||
As Mahodara tugged to free the sword that had stuck fast, Sugrīva—the elephant among monkeys—struck with his own blade and severed Mahodara’s head, adorned with earrings and guarded by a helmet.
While Mahodara was extracting the sword stuck to the head, Sugriva, the elephant of the monkeys, severed the head of Mahodara which was decked with earrings and helmet.
In a righteous war, decisive action against an aggressor restores moral order; dharma here is protection of the just cause through effective, timely intervention.
During a critical moment when Mahodara is occupied freeing his weapon, Sugrīva strikes and beheads him.
Sugrīva’s strength and battlefield decisiveness—he recognizes an opening and ends the threat swiftly.