कुम्भकर्णवधः
The Slaying of Kumbhakarna
प्रगृहीतायुधस्येहमृत्योरिवमहामृधे ।तिष्ठन्नप्रग्रतःपूज्यःकिमुयुद्धप्रदायकः ।।।।
pragṛhītāyudhasyeha mṛtyor iva mahāmṛdhe |
tiṣṭhann agrataḥ pūjyaḥ kimu yuddhapradāyakaḥ ||
«Здесь, в великой сече, тот, кто стоит передо мной с оружием в руке, словно сама Смерть, достоин почитания; тем более — тот, кто столь дерзновенно предлагает бой!»
"He who is ready to face me, a rival of Lord of Death in conflict, with weapons in hand in great battle is worthy of honour to me."
Even amid adharma, a trace of kṣātra-code appears: courage deserves acknowledgment. Dharma refines this into truthful honor without intimidation or self-deification.
Kumbhakarṇa continues his taunt, paradoxically praising the bravery of anyone who dares face him.
Courage worthy of respect—the battlefield ideal that fearlessness is honorable (when aligned with righteous ends).