Shloka 43
Sāvitrī’s Report and Nārada’s Prognosis (सावित्र्याख्यान—सत्यवान्-गुणवर्णनं तथा अल्पायुषः पूर्वसूचना)
रक्षार्थ तापसानां तु राघवो धर्मवत्सल: । चतुर्दश सहस्राणि जघान भुवि रक्षसाम्
rakṣārthaṁ tāpasānāṁ tu rāghavo dharmavatsalaḥ | caturdaśa sahasrāṇi jaghāna bhuvi rakṣasām ||
रक्षार्थं तापसानां तु राघवो धर्मवत्सलः । चतुर्दश सहस्राणि जघान भुवि रक्षसाम् ॥
(श्रीरम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma may require decisive force when it is exercised as protection of the vulnerable—here, ascetics devoted to spiritual practice. The ethical emphasis is on motive and duty: violence is framed as a reluctant but necessary act of guardianship, not personal gain.
Rāghava (Rāma), described as devoted to dharma, destroys a vast host of rākṣasas on earth in order to safeguard the forest ascetics. The verse summarizes a protective campaign undertaken to restore safety for tapas and sacred life in the wilderness.