Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 71, Shloka 25
अतिकायवधः
The Slaying of Atikāya
आचक्ष्वमेमहाबाहोत्वमेनंराक्षसोत्तमम् ।यंदृष्टवावानरास्सर्वेभयार्ताविद्रुतादिशः ।।।।
ācakṣva me mahābāho tvam enaṃ rākṣasottamam | yaṃ dṛṣṭvā vānarāḥ sarve bhayārtā vidrutā diśaḥ ||
Tell me, O mighty-armed one, who this foremost of Rākṣasas is—on seeing whom all the Vānara hosts, stricken with fear, fled in every direction.
"Oh! Vibheeshana, a mighty armed one! Show me that foremost of Rakshasas, whom all Vanaras feared and fled in all directions."
FAQs
A ruler practicing Dharma seeks accurate knowledge before action; Rama responsibly asks identification rather than acting on rumor or panic.
On the battlefield, Rama asks Vibhishana to identify a terrifying Rakshasa who has caused the Vanaras to scatter.
Prudent leadership (nīti) and clarity-seeking judgment—Rama prioritizes informed decision-making.