Shloka 37
Sāvitrī’s Trirātra-Vrata and Departure with Satyavān (सावित्रीव्रतनिश्चयः सहगमनं च)
इत्येवं वदता तस्य भुजो रामेण पातित: । खड्गेन भृशतीक्ष्णेन निकृत्तस्तिलकाण्डवत्,इस प्रकार कहते हुए श्रीरामचन्द्रजीने अत्यन्त तीखी तलवारसे उस राक्षसकी एक बाँह तिलके पौधेकी तरह काट गिरायी
ity evaṃ vadatā tasya bhujo rāmeṇa pātitaḥ | khaḍgena bhṛśatīkṣṇena nikṛttas tilakāṇḍavat ||
As he was speaking in this manner, Rāma struck down that being’s arm. With a fiercely sharp sword he severed it, and it fell like the cut stalk of a tilaka plant—an image underscoring how decisive, disciplined force is employed to restrain violent wrongdoing.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic principle that when confronted with violent adharma, a protector may act swiftly and proportionately. The emphasis is on disciplined, decisive action—force used as a moral restraint rather than as cruelty.
Mārkaṇḍeya narrates that as the opponent was speaking, Rāma struck and severed his arm with a very sharp sword. The fallen arm is compared to a tilaka plant’s stalk being cut, stressing the clean, decisive nature of the blow.