Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 42, Shloka 43
द्विचत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 42): Omens in Laṅkā, Report to Rāvaṇa, and the Kinkara Assault
स राक्षसानां निहतं महद्बलं निशम्य राजा परिवृत्तलोचनः।समादिदेशाप्रतिमं पराक्रमे प्रहस्तपुत्रं समरे सुदुर्जयम्।।5.42.43।।
sa rākṣasānāṃ nihataṃ mahad balaṃ niśamya rājā parivṛttalocanaḥ | samādideśāpratimaṃ parākrame prahastaputraṃ samare sudurjayam || 5.42.43 ||
Hearing that the great force of rākṣasas had been slain, the king—his eyes rolling in fury—issued orders to Prahasta’s son, matchless in valor and hard to conquer in battle.
"You alone can know about who he is and what he is about. A serpent alone knows the movement (foot-prints) of another serpent. There is no doubt about it.
FAQs
Leadership under adharma reacts through anger and escalation; the Ramayana repeatedly shows that rage-driven command deepens conflict rather than restoring righteousness.
Rāvaṇa receives news of the slaughter of his troops and responds by dispatching a formidable warrior—Prahasta’s son—into the fight.
As a negative exemplar, Rāvaṇa’s krodha (anger) is highlighted; as a martial note, the dispatched warrior is marked by strength and battlefield prowess.