Chapter 9 — Aranya Kanda, Sarga 9

Valmiki Ramayana — Aranya Kanda

Verse 9.20

स्नेहाच्च बहुमानाच्च स्मारये त्वां तु शिक्षये। न कथंचन सा कार्या गृहीतधनुषा त्वया॥ बुद्धिर्वैरं विना हन्तुं राक्षसान् दण्डकाश्रितान्। अपराधं विना हन्तुं लोको वीर न मंस्यते॥

snehācca bahumānācca smāraye tvāṃ tu śikṣaye| na kathaṃcana sā kāryā gṛhītadhanuṣā tvayā|| buddhirvairaṃ vinā hantuṃ rākṣasān daṇḍakāśritān| aparādhaṃ vinā hantuṃ loko vīra na maṃsyate||

English Meaning

From affection and the high honour in which I hold you, I merely remind you of this matter. I do not teach you. Equipped with bows as you are, you should renounce all thoughts of slaying without hostility the Rākṣasas residing in Dandaka. Without offence none should be slain.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)