Shloka 4
त्रिशिरोवधः (The Slaying of Triśiras)
Araṇyakāṇḍa, Sarga 27
अहं वास्य रणे मृत्युरेष वा समरे मम। विनिवृत्य रणोत्साहान्मुहूर्तं प्राश्निको भव।।3.27.4।।
ahaṁ vāsyā raṇe mṛtyur eṣa vā samare mama | vinivṛtya raṇotsāhān muhūrtaṁ prāśniko bhava || 3.27.4 ||
「戦場で私が彼の死となるか、彼が私の死となるか。戦いへの逸る気持ちをしばし抑え、立会人となりなさい。誰が誰を討つかを見届けるのです」。
The mighty Rama in fury dismembered the heads of that demon with three sharp and swift arrows.
FAQs
The verse contrasts disciplined judgment with impulsive aggression. Dharma in conflict includes restraint and discernment, not mere enthusiasm for violence.
The commander challenges Rāma and tells Khara to pause and observe as a referee, confident that one of them will certainly fall.
Fearlessness is asserted, but the verse also implicitly teaches the virtue of self-restraint (nigraha) as a higher control in warfare.