Shloka 10
विंशः सर्गः (Sarga 20): शूर्पणखाप्रेरितराक्षसवधः
The Slaying of the Fourteen Demons Sent by Śūrpaṇakhā
तिष्ठतैवात्र सन्तुष्टा नोपावर्तितुमर्हथ।यदि प्राणैरिहार्थो वा निवर्तध्वं निशाचराः।।।।
tiṣṭhataivātra santuṣṭā nōpāvartitum arhatha | yadi prāṇair ihārtho vā nivartadhvaṃ niśācarāḥ ||
इथेच संतुष्ट राहून थांबा; परत फिरण्याचा अधिकार समजू नका. पण प्राण प्रिय असतील तर, हे निशाचरांनो, माघार घ्या।
If you care for your life, you may return, or else, if you please you may remain (die) here, O demons.
FAQs
Rama offers a clear warning and a chance to withdraw, reflecting restrained use of force and moral accountability before violence—an aspect of kṣatriya-dharma aligned with satya (plain, direct speech).
In the Daṇḍaka/Janasthāna region, Rama confronts a group of Khara’s demons and tells them to retreat if they wish to live, otherwise remain and face the consequences.
Rama’s controlled courage and moral clarity: he is fearless yet gives the opponent an explicit option to desist.