Shloka 58
त्रिशिरा-प्रबोधनम् तथा नरान्तक-वधः
Trisira’s Counsel and the Slaying of Naranthaka
आक्षिप्य च शिलास्तेषांनिजघ्नाराक्षसाहरीन् ।।।।तेषांचाछचिद्यशस्त्राणिजघ्नूरक्षांसिवानराः ।
ākṣipya ca śilās teṣāṃ nijaghnā rākṣasā harīn | teṣāṃ cācchidya śastrāṇi jaghnū rakṣāṃsi vānarāḥ ||
Para Rākṣasa merampas batu-batu lalu menewaskan para Vānara; dan para Vānara pula merentap senjata mereka, lalu menumpaskan para Rākṣasa sebagai balasan.
The monkeys struck at the Rakshasas taking the weapons left over and tearing the weapons of the Rakshasas and the Vanaras also struck the Rakshasas.
FAQs
The verse shows reciprocity in violence: harm invites harm. Dharma implies that force must be governed by right purpose, otherwise escalation becomes endless.
Both sides adapt: Rākṣasas use rocks; Vānaras disarm them and counterattack with seized weapons.
Resourcefulness and presence of mind (pratibhā) in crisis—yet ideally directed toward dharmic ends rather than cruelty.