Ramayana — 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।।।।
tasmin mahati saṅgrāme puruṣān kṣatavikṣatān | rātrau prasuptān ghnanti sma tarasā āsādya rākṣasāḥ ||
Dalam pertempuran besar itu, para rākṣasa pada malam hari menyerbu dengan ganas dan membantai para prajurit—yang telah terluka maupun yang sedang terlelap tidur.
That mighty asura well-known as Sambara, capable of a hundred deceitful forms, challenged Indra to a battle which could not be conquered by hosts of gods.
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.