Chapter 70 — Aranya Kanda, Sarga 70

Valmiki Ramayana — Aranya Kanda

Verse 70.6

निश्चेष्टानां वधो राजन् कुत्सितो जगतीपतेः। क्रतुमध्योपनीतानां पशूनामिव राघव॥

niśceṣṭānāṃ vadho rājan kutsito jagatīpateḥ| kratumadhyopanītānāṃ paśūnāmiva rāghava||

English Meaning

It is odious for the Kșatriyas to make away with those who cannot defend themselves like to animals brought for sacrifice.* The purport is : Lakṣmaṇa wanted to chop off the arms of Kabandha and not to put an end to its life as it was not capable of fighting, being a headless demon. And it is not proper for the Ks atryas to destroy those who cannot fight.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)