Shloka 16
मकराक्षवधः
The Slaying of Makarākṣa
अस्त्रैर्वागदयावापिबाहुभ्यांवामहाहवे ।अभ्यस्तंयेनवाराम तेनैवयुधिवर्तताम् ।।।।
astrair vā gadayā vāpi bāhubhyāṃ vā mahāhave |
abhyastaṃ yena vā rāma tenaiva yudhi vartatām ||
Ya sea con armas arrojadizas, o con una maza, o con los propios brazos en esta gran contienda, oh Rāma: combate en la guerra con aquello en lo que más ejercitado estás.
Laughing at the words of Maka raksha who was speaking again and again Rama said.
FAQs
The verse highlights the kṣātra ethic of direct contest: boasting is secondary to action, and one must rely on disciplined skill rather than mere words.
Makarākṣa challenges Rāma, urging him to fight using whichever mode of combat he is best trained in.
Martial readiness and confidence rooted in practice (abhyāsa), a key virtue in righteous warfare.