Canto 3 -
Araṇya-kāṇḍa
Chapter 29: Rāma Breaks Khara’s Mace
Text 3.29.23
कामं बह्वपि वक्तव्यं त्वयि वक्ष्यामि न त्वहम्।
अस्तं गच्छेद्धि सविता युद्धविघ्नस्ततो भवेत्॥
kāmaṁ bahv api vaktavyaṁ tvayi vakṣyāmi na tv aham
astaṁ gacched dhi savitā yuddha-vighnas tato bhavet
kāmam = indeed; bahu api = a lot; vaktavyam = can be said; tvayi = about You; vakṣyāmi na = won’t; tu = but; aham = I; astam gacchet = is setting; hi = because; savitā = the sun; yuddha-vighnaḥ1 tataḥ = and because of that; bhavet = our war will have to be interrupted.
Indeed, a lot can be said about You. But I won’t, because the sun is setting. And because of that, our war will have to be interrupted.1
Khara considered Lord Rāmacandra to be a self-glorifier. Though he had a lot to speak about Him in a harsh manner, he didn’t want to do so. Why? That is stated in the second half of the verse.1
Though the night gives strength to Khara, he intends to convey that he would not be glorious for killing a man who [naturally] becomes incapable at night.