Shloka 19
Sāvitrī’s Trirātra-Vrata and Departure with Satyavān (सावित्रीव्रतनिश्चयः सहगमनं च)
राक्षसं शड़कमानस्तं विकृष्य बलवद् धनु: । अभ्यधावत काकुत्स्थस्ततस्तं सहलक्ष्मण:,लक्ष्मणसहित श्रीरामने उन्हें राक्षस समझकर अपने प्रबल धनुषको खींचा और उनपर धावा कर दिया
rākṣasaṃ śaṅkamānas taṃ vikṛṣya balavad dhanuḥ | abhyadhāvat kākutsthas tatas taṃ saha-lakṣmaṇaḥ ||
Suspecting him to be a rākṣasa, Rāma of the Kakutstha line forcefully drew his mighty bow and rushed upon him; then Lakṣmaṇa too advanced together with him. The verse highlights vigilant protection of dharma—swift readiness against perceived adharma—while also implying the moral risk of acting on suspicion and the need for discernment.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a kṣatriya-like readiness to protect righteousness when danger is suspected, while implicitly reminding that suspicion must be guided by viveka (discernment) so that force is not misapplied.
Rāma, thinking the figure before him may be a rākṣasa, draws his powerful bow and charges; Lakṣmaṇa accompanies him, moving in support as they confront the perceived threat.