महावीरचरितम् (महाकवि भवभूति - वीररस-प्रधान रामकथा नाटक सम्पूर्ण ७ अङ्क सटीक)

v. 31ᶜ—] Bhavabhūti — Uttara-Rāma-Charita [80 (sūnṛita) is, say the wise, the parent of all blessings—a [veritable] cow!¹ 31 Sumantra—This youth, this pupil of the son of Varuṇa [Vālmīki], is indeed a pure soul: a glow of sacred learning suffuses all his utterances. Lava—And then further, Chandraketu, you ask me, if the eminence of even father [Rāma's] prowess is something I cannot put up with: I ask, Are the qualities of a Kshatriya absolutely restricted in the matter of possessors?² Sumantra—Thou certainly dost not know the Royal descendant of Ikshvāku [Rāma]. Desist now, desist and do not transgress the bounds: Thou hast to be sure wrought havoc amongst the soldiery and proved thy prowess; but thou must not speak so lightly of [Rāma,] the vanquisher of the son of Jamadagni.³ 32 Lava, with a laugh—Worthy Sir, why all this tall talk about the King [simply] because he vanquished the son of Jamadagni? For, it needs no proving that it is the valiance in words that belongs to the Brahmans; but as to the valiance in arm, that belongs to the Kshatriyas. The son of Jamadagni was a Brahman who [happened to] wield a weapon: for his having vanquished him what praise can the King [Rāma] claim? 33 Chandraketu, slightly provoked—Have done, my worthy [Sumantra], no more bandying of words!— This fellow apparently is some extraordinary avatāra of manliness, because not even [Paraśurāma,] the exalted descendant of Bhṛigu, is a hero to him! And he seems not to know even the holy exploits of father [Rāma]—exploits that have conferred upon the seven worlds [the gift of] eternal immunity from danger! 34 Lava—Who indeed does not know the exploits—the greatness—of the Lord of the Raghus? If indeed one were only to have his say—but never mind! They are old folks; their career must not be scrutinized; let them be: why discuss them? For, they are the world's great men, and their glory abates not even if they kill a woman—the wife of Sunda!⁴ And those three steps—I do not say in retreat!⁵—which were taken [by Rāma] in that mêlée with [the ¹ And the praise could go no higher. ² That is, may not others, besides Rāma, possess the Kshatriya qualities? ³ For Paraśurāma, the son of Jamadagni, see p. 20, note 6. ⁴ Tāṭakā, see note 4 on page 19 above. ⁵ Literally, 'with his face turned in a particular direction', which I need not specify. As Khara came rushing upon Rāma, the latter took a few steps backwards in order the more freely to use his bow.