Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 25, Shloka 19
ताटकावृत्तान्तः
The Account of Tāṭakā and the Royal Duty to Protect
श्रूयते हि पुरा शक्रो विरोचनसुतां नृप।पृथिवीं हन्तुमिच्छन्तीं मन्थरामभ्यसूदयत्।।।।
śrūyate hi purā śakro virocana-sutāṃ nṛpa | pṛthivīṃ hantum icchantīṃ mantharām abhyasūdayat ||
श्रूयते हि पुरा, नृपपुत्र, शक्रेण विरोचनसुताया मन्थरायाः वधः कृतः—सा यदा पृथिवीं हन्तुम् इच्छन्ती आसीत्।
O Prince It is heard that in the past Indra slew Manthara, Virochana's daughter who intended to destroy the earth.
FAQs
Appeal to dharmic precedent: even divine rulers act to prevent catastrophic harm; protection of the world overrides ordinary hesitation.
To remove Rāma’s scruple, Viśvāmitra cites an ancient example where Indra killed a destructive female being.
Commitment to loka-saṃgraha (upholding the world’s welfare) through decisive action.