Shloka 10
विंशः सर्गः (Sarga 20): शूर्पणखाप्रेरितराक्षसवधः
The Slaying of the Fourteen Demons Sent by Śūrpaṇakhā
तिष्ठतैवात्र सन्तुष्टा नोपावर्तितुमर्हथ।यदि प्राणैरिहार्थो वा निवर्तध्वं निशाचराः।।।।
tiṣṭhataivātra santuṣṭā nōpāvartitum arhatha | yadi prāṇair ihārtho vā nivartadhvaṃ niśācarāḥ ||
இங்கேயே திருப்தியுடன் நில்லுங்கள்; திரும்பிச் செல்லத் தகுதி உங்களுக்கில்லை என்று எண்ணுங்கள். ஆனால் உயிர் வேண்டுமெனில், ஓ இரவுலாவிகளே, பின்வாங்குங்கள்.
If you care for your life, you may return, or else, if you please you may remain (die) here, O demons.
FAQs
Rama offers a clear warning and a chance to withdraw, reflecting restrained use of force and moral accountability before violence—an aspect of kṣatriya-dharma aligned with satya (plain, direct speech).
In the Daṇḍaka/Janasthāna region, Rama confronts a group of Khara’s demons and tells them to retreat if they wish to live, otherwise remain and face the consequences.
Rama’s controlled courage and moral clarity: he is fearless yet gives the opponent an explicit option to desist.