Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 111
कुम्भकर्णवधः
The Slaying of Kumbhakarna
यत्तुवीर्यबलोत्साहैस्तोषितोऽहंरणेत्वया ।राममेवैकमिच्छामिहन्तुंयस्मिन् हतेहतम् ।।।।
yat tu vīrya-balotsāhaiḥ toṣito 'haṃ raṇe tvayā | rāmam evai-kam icchāmi hantuṃ yasmin hate hatam ||
“Tunay na sa digmaan ay ikinasiya mo ako sa iyong kagitingan, lakas, at alab ng loob; ngunit si Rāma lamang ang nais kong patayin—sapagkat kapag siya’y napatay, para na ring napatay ang lahat.”
"I am gratified by your valour, strength and enthusiasm which has been exhibited by you in the battle. However, I wish to kill Rama alone."
FAQs
The verse reflects a battlefield hierarchy: the combatant seeks the central figure whose fall would decide the conflict. It also warns ethically about the danger of reducing persons to strategic targets—an attitude opposed to Rāma’s dharmic restraint elsewhere.
Kumbhakarṇa, after acknowledging Lakṣmaṇa’s display, declares that his true objective is to slay Rāma, believing victory hinges on that act.
Lakṣmaṇa’s utsāha (ardour) is praised; Kumbhakarṇa’s resolve and strategic focus are foregrounded.