Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 98, Shloka 6
महोदरवधः
The Slaying of Mahodara
एवमुक्तस्तथेत्युक्त्वाराक्षसेन्द्रोमहोदरः ।प्रविवेशारिसेनांतांपतङ्गइवपावकम् ।।6.98.6।।
evam uktaḥ tathety uktvā rākṣasendro mahodaraḥ |
praviveśārisenāṃ tāṃ pataṅga iva pāvakam ||6.98.6||
Thus addressed, Mahodara, lord among the Rākṣasas, replied “So be it,” and plunged into that enemy army like a moth into a flame.
And then Ravana spoke to Mahodara who was close by, one who is difficult to encounter, saying " At this time the hope for my victory is centered in you."
FAQs
The simile warns about reckless commitment to a doomed or unrighteous course—courage without discernment can become self-destruction.
Mahodara accepts Rāvaṇa’s command and charges into the opposing forces, foreshadowed as perilous through the fire-simile.
Fearlessness and obedience; the verse also implies the need for viveka (judgment), since bravery alone may lead to ruin.