Shloka 4
त्रिशिरोवधः (The Slaying of Triśiras)
Araṇyakāṇḍa, Sarga 27
अहं वास्य रणे मृत्युरेष वा समरे मम। विनिवृत्य रणोत्साहान्मुहूर्तं प्राश्निको भव।।3.27.4।।
ahaṁ vāsyā raṇe mṛtyur eṣa vā samare mama | vinivṛtya raṇotsāhān muhūrtaṁ prāśniko bhava || 3.27.4 ||
"O yo seré su muerte en la batalla, o él será la mía en la guerra. Refrena tu ansia de luchar por un momento y siéntate como juez: observa quién mata a quién".
The mighty Rama in fury dismembered the heads of that demon with three sharp and swift arrows.
FAQs
The verse contrasts disciplined judgment with impulsive aggression. Dharma in conflict includes restraint and discernment, not mere enthusiasm for violence.
The commander challenges Rāma and tells Khara to pause and observe as a referee, confident that one of them will certainly fall.
Fearlessness is asserted, but the verse also implicitly teaches the virtue of self-restraint (nigraha) as a higher control in warfare.