Shloka 12
दूषणवधः
The Slaying of Dūṣaṇa and the Rout of Khara’s Host
तं महोरगसङ्काशं प्रगृह्य परिघं रणे।दूषणोऽभ्यद्रवद्रामं क्रूरकर्मा निशाचरः।।।।
taṃ mahōragasaṅkāśaṃ pragṛhya parighaṃ raṇe |
dūṣaṇo 'bhyadravad rāmaṃ krūrakarmā niśācaraḥ ||
Nắm chặt cây parigha trong chiến địa, trông như đại mãng xà, Dūṣaṇa—kẻ dạ hành làm việc tàn bạo—liền xông thẳng đến Rāma trong trận chiến.
With his bow and chariot broken, charioteer and horses killed, Dusana took up a spear in his hand that appeared like a huge mountain top. Bound by golden bands, covered the iron nails, wetted with the enemy's marrow it created a horripilation. It appeared as though it could crush the army of gods and render the enemy powerless. It carried the killing touch of the thunderbolt and could break open the enemy's fort.
FAQs
Cruel intent (krūra-karma) is named directly; Dharma is the opposite—actions aligned with justice and protection, not harm for its own sake.
Armed with the serpent-like parigha, Dūṣaṇa closes distance and initiates a direct charge against Rāma.
Rāma’s fearlessness is implied: he faces a close-quarters threat from a heavily armed opponent without yielding.