Shloka 23
दूषणवधः
The Slaying of Dūṣaṇa and the Rout of Khara’s Host
दूषणं निहतं दृष्ट्वा तस्य चैव पदानुगान्।।।।व्यादिदेश खरः क्रुद्धः सेनाध्यक्षान्महाबलान्।
dūṣaṇaṃ nihataṃ dṛṣṭvā tasya caiva padānugān |
vyādideśa kharaḥ kruddhaḥ senādhyakṣān mahābalān ||
Melihat Dūṣaṇa telah terbunuh, beserta para pengikut yang menapaki jejaknya, Khara pun murka lalu memberi perintah kepada para panglima pasukannya yang perkasa.
Dusana and his followers are killed in the battle. You, all the demons, along with your great army and different kinds of weapons should kill that wicked human being, Rama.
FAQs
It highlights how anger can drive leadership into escalation; the Ramayana often contrasts such rage-driven command with dharma-guided restraint.
After Dūṣaṇa’s defeat, Khara reacts by mobilizing higher-ranking commanders to intensify the attack on Rāma.
By contrast, the verse foregrounds a vice: Khara’s wrath and impulsive escalation.