Shloka 23
उत्पातदर्शनं खरसैन्यसमागमश्च
Omens of calamity and the approach of Khara’s army
एवमुक्त्वा पुनः प्रोचुरालोक्य च परस्परम्।।3.24.22।।चतुर्दश सहस्राणि रक्षसां भीमकर्मणाम्।एकश्च रामो धर्मात्मा कथं युद्धं भविष्यति।।3.24.23।।
evam uktvā punaḥ procur ālokya ca parasparam || (3.24.22) ||
caturdaśa sahasrāṇi rakṣasāṃ bhīmakarmaṇām |
ekaś ca rāmo dharmātmā kathaṃ yuddhaṃ bhaviṣyati || (3.24.23) ||
ऐसा कहकर वे एक-दूसरे की ओर देखकर फिर बोले— “भयानक कर्मों वाले चौदह हजार राक्षस हैं, और धर्मात्मा राम अकेले हैं; यह युद्ध कैसे होगा?”
Rajarsis, siddhas, great brahmins with their clan and gods on the celestial chariots waited to see the war whetted with curiosity.
FAQs
The repetition underscores dharma’s paradox: moral strength can stand solitary against massed wrongdoing.
A repeated/echoed line in this recension emphasizes the spectators’ amazement at the imbalance of forces.
Rāma’s unwavering resolve grounded in righteousness (dharmātmā).