Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 108
कुम्भकर्णवधः
The Slaying of Kumbhakarna
प्रगृहीतायुधस्येहमृत्योरिवमहामृधे ।तिष्ठन्नप्रग्रतःपूज्यःकिमुयुद्धप्रदायकः ।।।।
pragṛhītāyudhasyeha mṛtyor iva mahāmṛdhe |
tiṣṭhann agrataḥ pūjyaḥ kimu yuddhapradāyakaḥ ||
“Di sini, dalam pertempuran besar ini, siapa pun yang berdiri di hadapanku dengan senjata terangkat—bagaikan Maut sendiri—patut dihormati; terlebih lagi dia yang dengan berani menawarkan pertempuran!”
"He who is ready to face me, a rival of Lord of Death in conflict, with weapons in hand in great battle is worthy of honour to me."
FAQs
Even amid adharma, a trace of kṣātra-code appears: courage deserves acknowledgment. Dharma refines this into truthful honor without intimidation or self-deification.
Kumbhakarṇa continues his taunt, paradoxically praising the bravery of anyone who dares face him.
Courage worthy of respect—the battlefield ideal that fearlessness is honorable (when aligned with righteous ends).