Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 48, Shloka 50
इन्द्रजित्प्रेषणम्—ब्रह्मास्त्रबन्धः, हनूमद्ग्रहणं, रावणसभाप्रवेशः
Indrajit’s Deployment—Brahmāstra Binding, Hanuman’s Capture, Entry into Ravana’s Court
अहो महत्कर्म कृतं निरर्थकम्कं न राक्षसैर्मन्त्रगतिर्विमृष्टा।पुनश्च मन्त्रे विहतेऽस्त्रमन्यत्प्रवर्तते संशयिता स्स्मसर्वे।।।।
aho mahat karma kṛtaṃ nirarthakaṃ kaṃ na rākṣasair mantra-gatir vimṛṣṭā |
punaś ca mantre vihate ’stram anyat pravartate saṃśayitāḥ sma sarve ||
“Alas—this great feat has turned futile, for the rākṣasas did not consider the working of the mantra. When the mantra’s force is thwarted, no other astra can properly take effect again; all of us are thereby placed in peril.”
'Alas! my achievement has been wasted. The ogres had not considered the impact of themantraofastra. Once theBrahmastrais ineffective anotherastracannot be operative again. We are all running a risk.'
FAQs
Dharma stresses forethought and accountability: careless action—especially involving sacred forces like mantra/astra—creates collective risk and moral responsibility.
After realizing the astra’s binding has been nullified, Indrajit laments that the rākṣasas mishandled the situation and fears consequences.
Awareness of consequence (pratyavekṣaṇa): recognizing that improper handling of power rebounds upon one’s own side.