Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 26, Shloka 12
ताटकावधः
The Slaying of Tāṭakā
न ह्येनामुत्सहे हन्तुं स्त्रीस्वभावेन रक्षिताम्।वीर्यं चास्यां गतिं चापि हनिष्यामीति मे मति:।।1.26.12।।
na hy enām utsahe hantuṃ strīsvabhāvena rakṣitām |
vīryaṃ cāsyāṃ gatiṃ cāpi haniṣyāmīti me matiḥ ||
स्त्रीस्वभावामुळे जणू रक्षित असलेल्या हिचा वध करण्यास मी प्रवृत्त होत नाही. माझा निश्चय असा की हिचे वीर्य आणि गती—दोन्ही नष्ट करीन.
By virtue of being a woman, she is protected. I am not inclined to slay her but take away her prowess and power of motion".
FAQs
Dharma is presented as restraint and protection of social/moral boundaries: even in conflict, one seeks the least-violent means consistent with safety.
Rāma explains why he prefers disabling Tāṭakā rather than killing her, emphasizing her status as a woman.
Compassionate restraint (saṃyama) joined with responsibility—Rāma aims to prevent harm without needless killing.