Shloka 43
Sāvitrī’s Report and Nārada’s Prognosis (सावित्र्याख्यान—सत्यवान्-गुणवर्णनं तथा अल्पायुषः पूर्वसूचना)
रक्षार्थ तापसानां तु राघवो धर्मवत्सल: । चतुर्दश सहस्राणि जघान भुवि रक्षसाम्,धर्मवत्सल श्रीरामचन्द्रजीने तपस्वी मुनियोंकी रक्षाके लिये महाबली खर और दूषणको मारकर वहाँके चौदह हजार राक्षसोंका संहार कर डाला तथा उन बुद्धिमान् रघुनाथजीने पुनः उस वनको क्षेमकारक धर्मारण्य बना दिया
rakṣārthaṁ tāpasānāṁ tu rāghavo dharmavatsalaḥ | caturdaśa sahasrāṇi jaghāna bhuvi rakṣasām ||
ತಪಸ್ವಿಗಳ ರಕ್ಷಣಾರ್ಥ ಧರ್ಮವತ್ಸಲ ರಾಘವನು ಭುವಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹದಿನಾಲ್ಕು ಸಾವಿರ ರಾಕ್ಷಸರನ್ನು ಸಂಹರಿಸಿದನು।
(श्रीरम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma may require decisive force when it is exercised as protection of the vulnerable—here, ascetics devoted to spiritual practice. The ethical emphasis is on motive and duty: violence is framed as a reluctant but necessary act of guardianship, not personal gain.
Rāghava (Rāma), described as devoted to dharma, destroys a vast host of rākṣasas on earth in order to safeguard the forest ascetics. The verse summarizes a protective campaign undertaken to restore safety for tapas and sacred life in the wilderness.