Shloka 20
रावणवधः — The Slaying of Ravana
Brahmāstra Discharge
स शरोरावणंहत्वारुधिरार्द्रीकृतच्छविः ।कृतकर्मानिभृतवत्स्वतूणींपुनराविशत् ।।।।
sa śaro rāvaṇaṁ hatvā rudhirārdrī-kṛta-cchaviḥ |
kṛta-karmā nibhṛtavat sva-tūṇīṁ punar āviśat ||
Anak panah itu, setelah membunuh Rāvaṇa, kilauannya menjadi gelap kerana diselaputi darah; tugasnya selesai, ia kembali dengan senyap ke dalam tabung panahnya sendiri.
That arrow of Rama, on killing Ravana, soaked in blood, having accomplished the task quietly re-entered its quiver.
FAQs
Dharma is restraint after victory: once the rightful objective is achieved, force withdraws. The arrow’s calm return symbolizes bounded, non-excessive violence in a just cause.
After killing Rāvaṇa, the arrow completes its trajectory and returns to the quiver, marking the end of the decisive act.
Measured completion (maryādā): action that ends exactly where duty ends—no cruelty beyond necessity.