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 ||
আহো! এই মহৎ কৰ্ম নিৰৰ্থক হৈ পৰিল; কিয়নো ৰাক্ষসসকলে মন্ত্ৰগতিৰ প্ৰভাৱ বিবেচনা নকৰিলে। মন্ত্ৰবল বিঘ্নিত হ’লে আন কোনো অস্ত্ৰো পুনৰ যথাযথভাৱে প্ৰৱৰ্তিত নহয়; সেয়ে আমি সকলোৱে সংশয়-ভয়ত পৰিছোঁ।
'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.