Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 46, Shloka 14
षट्चत्वारिंशः सर्गः
Ravana Deploys Five Generals; Hanuman Destroys the Commanders and the Remaining Host
तथापि तु नयज्ञेन जयमाकाङ्क्षता रणे।।।।आत्मा रक्ष्यः प्रयत्नेन युद्धसिद्धिर्हि चञ्चला।
tathāpi tu nayajñena jayam ākāṅkṣatā raṇe |
ātmā rakṣyaḥ prayatnena yuddhasiddhir hi cañcalā ||
ومع ذلك، فإن من يبتغي الظفر في الحرب بعلمِ السياسة والتدبير يجب أن يحفظ نفسه بغاية الجهد، فإن نصرَ المعركة حقًّا متقلّبٌ غيرُ مأمون.
"Even then, you should safeguard yourself with great effort adopting war-strategies in an intelligent manner to be victorious, for success in war is uncertain.
FAQs
Prudence and self-protection: dharma values measured action and awareness that outcomes are uncertain; strategy must be joined with caution.
Rāvaṇa, after praising his forces, counsels them to act strategically and safeguard themselves because war results are unstable.
Nīti (practical wisdom): disciplined strategy and risk-awareness rather than reckless confidence.