Shloka 12
खरवधः — The Slaying of Khara
Janasthana Battle Climax
नृशंस नीच क्षुद्रात्मन्नित्यं ब्राह्मणकण्टक।यत्कृते शङ्कितैरग्नौ मुनिभिः पात्यते हविः।।।।
nṛśaṃsa nīca kṣudrātman nityaṃ brāhmaṇakaṇṭaka | yatkṛte śaṅkitair agnau munibhiḥ pātyate haviḥ || 3.30.12 ||
नृशंस! नीच! क्षुद्रात्मन्! नित्यं ब्राह्मणकण्टक! यत्कृते मुनयः शङ्किताः सन्तोऽग्नौ हविः पातयन्ति, भयेन सदा सन्त्रस्ताः॥
O cruel, mean, vile fellow, you had been always opposing the brahmins who pour oblations in fire under fear.
FAQs
Protecting sacred practice and the vulnerable is central to dharma: tormenting sages and disrupting yajña is portrayed as a grave moral violation demanding correction.
In the battle context, Rāma indicts Khara for persecuting brāhmaṇas and sages, forcing them to perform rites under fear.
Guardianship of dharma: Rāma acts as protector of ascetics and ritual order against predatory power.