Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 23
युद्धकाण्डे द्वादशः सर्गः — रावणस्य परिषद्-सम्बोधनं कुम्भकर्णस्य नीत्युपदेशश्च
Ravana’s Council Address and Kumbhakarna’s Counsel
मानुष्यान्नोभयंनास्तितथापितुविमृश्यताम् ।।6.12.22।।तदादेवासुरेयुद्धेयुष्माभिस्सहितोऽजयम् ।तेमेभवन्तश्चतथासुग्रीवप्रमुखान्हरीन् ।।6.12.23।।परेपारेसमुद्रस्यपुरस्कृत्यनृपात्मजौ ।सीतायाःपदवींप्राप्यसम्प्राप्तौवरुणालयाम् ।।6.12.24।।
mānuṣyān no bhayaṃ nāsti tathāpi tu vimṛśyatām ||6.12.22||
tadā devāsure yuddhe yuṣmābhiḥ sahito 'jayam |
te me bhavantaś ca tathā sugrīvapramukhān harīn ||6.12.23||
pare pāre samudrasya puraskṛtya nṛpātmajau |
sītāyāḥ padavīṃ prāpya samprāptau varuṇālayām ||6.12.24||
“I have no fear of human beings; yet, let the matter be carefully considered. Formerly, in the war between the Devas and the Asuras, I won victory together with you. And now those very heroes—Sugrīva and the foremost of the Vānaras—stand there. The two princes, the sons of a king (Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa), having placed the Vānaras in the forefront, have reached the far shore of the ocean—Varuṇa’s abode—seeking the path that will lead to Sītā. Therefore, counsel a way out (a course of action).”
"There is no fear of human beings for me. I won the war between Devas and asuras along with you. As it is, all of you are there. There at the shore of the ocean Rama and Lakshmana have collected with Sugriva and other leaders placing Vanaras in front to get back Sita. You may suggest a way out to gain."
FAQs
Even while claiming fearlessness, the speaker urges deliberation (vimṛśyatām), reflecting the dharmic ideal that power must be guided by counsel, foresight, and responsibility rather than pride.
Satya appears as factual acknowledgment of the situation: the enemy has reached Varuṇa’s abode with a strong Vānara force and is seeking Sītā. Recognizing reality truthfully is presented as the basis for right decision-making.
Read Valmiki Ramayana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.