Shloka 2
मारीचाश्रमगमनम्
Ravana’s Journey to Maricha’s Hermitage
तत्कार्यमनुगम्याथ यथावदुपलभ्य च।दोषाणां च गुणानां च सम्प्रधार्य बलाबलम्।।।इति कर्तव्यमित्येव कृत्वा निश्चयमात्मनः।स्थिरबुद्धिस्ततो रम्यां यानशालां जगाम ह।।।।
tatkāryam anugamyātha yathāvad upalabhya ca |
doṣāṇāṁ ca guṇānāṁ ca sampradhārya balābalam ||
iti kartavyam ity eva kṛtvā niścayam ātmanaḥ |
sthirabuddhis tato ramyāṁ yānaśālāṁ jagāma ha ||
Nachdem er die vor ihm liegende Aufgabe bedacht und sie recht erkannt hatte—Fehler und Vorzüge abwägend und Stärke wie Schwäche ermessend—fasste er in sich den Entschluss: „So muss es getan werden.“ Mit festem Geist begab er sich daraufhin in die liebliche Wagenhalle.
Deliberating on the task ahead, duly considering the pros and cons, demerits and merits, strength and weakness, of the issue and having firmly decided within himself, he left for the beautiful coach-shed.
FAQs
The verse highlights prudent deliberation: before acting, one should weigh merits and faults and assess strength versus weakness. In dharmic conduct, action is ideally preceded by clear discernment and firm resolve (niścaya).
Rāvaṇa, having decided on his next course of action, proceeds to the chariot-shed—signaling preparation for travel and the unfolding of his plan.
Steadiness of mind and decisiveness (sthirabuddhi, niścaya)—the capacity to form a settled decision after analysis (even though later events may show misuse of that resolve).