Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 108
कुम्भकर्णवधः
The Slaying of Kumbhakarna
प्रगृहीतायुधस्येहमृत्योरिवमहामृधे ।तिष्ठन्नप्रग्रतःपूज्यःकिमुयुद्धप्रदायकः ।।।।
pragṛhītāyudhasyeha mṛtyor iva mahāmṛdhe |
tiṣṭhann agrataḥ pūjyaḥ kimu yuddhapradāyakaḥ ||
‘இந்த மாபெரும் போரில் மரணத்தைப் போல ஆயுதம் ஏந்தி என் முன் நிற்பவனும் வணக்கத்திற்குரியவன்; அப்படியிருக்க, துணிவுடன் போரைக் கொடுக்க முன்வருபவன் எவ்வளவோ அதிகமாகப் போற்றத்தக்கவன்!’
"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."
FAQs
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).