Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 41, Shloka 4
प्रमदावनविध्वंसः | The Devastation of the Pleasure-Garden
Ashoka Vatika
न चास्य कार्यस्य पराक्रमादृते विनिश्चयः कश्चिदिहोपपद्यते।हतप्रवीरा हि रणे हि राक्षसाः कथञ्चिदीयुर्यदिहाद्य मार्दवम्।।।।
na cāsya kāryasya parākramād ṛte viniścayaḥ kaścid ihopapadyate |
hatapravīrā hi raṇe hi rākṣasāḥ kathañcid īyur yad ihādya mārdavam ||
Und für dieses Vorhaben gibt es, außer heldischer Kraft, keinen Entschluss, der hier wirklich Bestand hat. Wenn im Kampf einige der Vorkämpfer der Rākṣasas erschlagen werden, könnten sie heute irgendwie weich werden und nachgiebig sein.
'Other than power, there is no way to accomplish the task of ascertaining their strength. If I slay a few strong ogres somehow they may soften a little and yield.
FAQs
Dharma recognizes proportional force: when opponents are hardened in wrongdoing, decisive action that reduces their capacity for harm can restore moral order and open the possibility of restraint.
Hanumān considers that to assess and influence Laṅkā’s hostile forces, he may need to engage them in combat and test their resistance.
Resolve (niścaya) and responsibility: Hanumān is willing to bear the burden of conflict to protect Rāma’s mission.