Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 2, Shloka 40
लङ्कादर्शनं तथा रात्रौ सूक्ष्मरूपेण प्रवेशोपायचिन्तनम्
Vision of Lanka and Strategy for Nocturnal Entry
अर्थानर्थान्तरे बुद्धिर्निश्चितापि न शोभते।घातयन्ति हि कार्याणि दूताः पण्डितमानिनः।।।।
arthānarthāntare buddhir niścitāpi na śobhate | ghātayanti hi kāryāṇi dūtāḥ paṇḍitamāninaḥ ||
Selbst ein fest gefasster Entschluss glänzt nicht, wenn der Geist zwischen Nutzen und Schaden schwankt; denn Boten, die sich für weise halten, verderben oft das Werk, das sie ausführen sollen.
'Even though messengers are not intelligent, they think themselves clever and capable. They act foolishly, swerve from proper course of action and fail in their effort.
FAQs
Dharma of a messenger (dūta-dharma): humility, clarity, and adherence to the mission; self-important cleverness that ignores consequences becomes adharma by harming the entrusted cause.
Hanumān cautions himself against indecision and against the common failing of agents who overestimate themselves and thereby jeopardize the mission.
Humility with discernment: he aims to act effectively, not theatrically, keeping benefit vs. harm clearly separated.