Valmiki Ramayana 2.9.14: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 14
मन्थराप्रेरणा · वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
तस्मिन्महति सङ्ग्रामे पुरुषान्क्षतविक्षतान् ।
रात्रौ प्रसुप्तान्घ्नन्ति स्म तरसाऽऽसाद्य राक्षसाः ॥१४॥
tasmin mahati saṅgrāme puruṣān kṣatavikṣatān |
rātrau prasuptān ghnanti sma tarasā āsādya rākṣasāḥ ||14||
उस बड़ी लड़ाई में राक्षस रात को आते थे। और जो लोग ज़ख्मी हो चुके थे, उनपे टूट पड़ते थे। जो सो रहे थे, उनको भी मार डालते थे। अचानक से आके हमला करते थे।
In that great battle, the rakshasas used to kill by force the warriors wounded by the weapons and those fast asleep during the night.
FAQs
It contrasts dharmic combat with adharma: attacking the sleeping and badly wounded is portrayed as ruthless, violating the spirit of righteous conduct.
The war turns brutal at night as rākṣasas exploit vulnerability, escalating danger for the allied forces.
The need for vigilance and protective responsibility toward weakened comrades.
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