Shloka 38
Sāvitrī’s Trirātra-Vrata and Departure with Satyavān (सावित्रीव्रतनिश्चयः सहगमनं च)
ततो<सस््य दक्षिणं बाहु खड्गेनाजध्निवान् बली । सौमित्रिरपि सम्प्रेक्ष्य भ्रातरं राघवं स्थितम्,तदनन्तर बलवान सुमित्रानन्दन लक्ष्मणने भी अपने खड्गसे उसकी दाहिनी बाँह काट डाली और अपने भाई श्रीरामको खड़ा देखकर उन्होंने उसकी पसलीपर भी बड़े जोरसे प्रहार किया। फिर तो वह महान् राक्षस कबन्ध प्राणशून्य होकर पृथ्वीपर गिर पड़ा
tato 'sya dakṣiṇaṃ bāhuṃ khaḍgenājaghnivān balī | saumitrir api samprekṣya bhrātaraṃ rāghavaṃ sthitam |
Then the mighty Saumitri struck off his right arm with his sword. Seeing his brother Rāghava standing firm, Lakṣmaṇa—Sumitrā’s valiant son—next dealt a powerful blow to his side. Thereupon the great rākṣasa Kabandha, bereft of life, fell down upon the earth. The episode underscores disciplined force used in protection: violence is not celebrated for its own sake, but employed as a necessary act against predatory harm, with steadiness of mind and loyalty to righteous duty.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Strength and weaponry are to be governed by dharma: force is applied with steadiness and restraint to neutralize destructive aggression, while maintaining loyalty and protective responsibility toward one’s companions and the innocent.
Mārkaṇḍeya narrates that Lakṣmaṇa (Saumitri) severs the enemy’s right arm with his sword; seeing Rāma standing firm, he strikes again at the foe’s side, after which the rākṣasa Kabandha collapses lifeless to the ground.