Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 71, Shloka 45
अतिकायवधः
The Slaying of Atikāya
रथेस्थितोहंशरचापपाणिर्नप्राकृतंकञ्चनयोधयामि ।यस्यास्तिकश्चिद्व्यवसाययुक्तोददातुमेक्षिप्रमिहाद्ययुद्धम् ।।।।
rathesthito 'haṃ śara-cāpa-pāṇir na prākṛtaṃ kañcana yodhayāmi | yasyāsti kaścid vyavasāya-yukto dadātu me kṣipram ihādya yuddham || 6.71.45 ||
“രഥത്തിൽ ഇരുന്ന്, കൈയിൽ ധനുസ്സും അമ്പുകളും പിടിച്ച്, ഞാൻ സാധാരണ യോദ്ധാക്കളോടു യുദ്ധം ചെയ്യുന്നില്ല. ഇവിടെ ദൃഢനിശ്ചയവും ശേഷിയും ഉള്ളവൻ ആരെങ്കിലും ഉണ്ടെങ്കിൽ, ഇന്ന് തന്നെ വേഗം എനിക്കു യുദ്ധം നൽകട്ടെ.”
"I am with a bow and arrow seated in the chariot. Indeed, I am not strong in fighting with common warriors. Whoever is interested to fight now can come speedily to fight with me."
FAQs
The verse presents a warrior’s claim to regulated combat (seeking a worthy opponent), but dharma requires that such claims be aligned with a just cause; boasting and contempt for others undermines satya-like integrity.
Atikāya publicly challenges the opposing side, declaring he will not fight ‘ordinary’ fighters and calling for a determined champion to face him.
Valor and self-confidence are asserted, but the dominant trait is pride (garva), expressed as disdain for common warriors.