Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 46, Shloka 10
षट्चत्वारिंशः सर्गः
Ravana Deploys Five Generals; Hanuman Destroys the Commanders and the Remaining Host
दृष्टा हि हरयः पूर्वं मया विपुलविक्रमाः।वाली च सहसुग्रीवो जाम्बवांश्च महाबलः।।।।नीलस्सेनापतिश्चैव ये चान्ये द्विविदादयः।नैवं तेषां गतिर्भीमा न तेजो न पराक्रमः।।।।न मतिर्न बलोत्साहौ न रूपपरिकल्पनम्।
dṛṣṭā hi harayaḥ pūrvaṃ mayā vipulavikramāḥ |
vālī ca saha sugrīvo jāmbavāṃś ca mahābalaḥ ||
nīlaḥ senāpatiś caiva ye cānye dvividādayaḥ |
naivaṃ teṣāṃ gatir bhīmā na tejo na parākramaḥ ||
na matir na balotsāhau na rūpaparikalpanam |
Wahrlich, zuvor sah ich schon Vānara von gewaltiger Kraft: Vālī mit Sugrīva und den überaus starken Jāmbavān; auch Nīla, den Heerführer, und andere wie Dvivida. Doch keiner von ihnen besaß eine so furchterregende Schnelligkeit, noch solchen Glanz und Heldenmut—noch solchen Verstand, Stärke und Eifer, noch diese Macht, nach Belieben Gestalt anzunehmen.
"Earlier I have seen monkeys of immense prowess, like Vali and Sugriva as well as Jambavan, the bear. Also I have seen the army general, Nila, Dvivida and others. They do not have such tremendous splendour or movement valour, intellect and strength and energy. They did not have such ability to change form at their will.
FAQs
Truthful appraisal of reality: even an antagonist must acknowledge genuine merit; clear-eyed evaluation is necessary for responsible action.
Rāvaṇa reflects on renowned Vānara heroes he has known and concludes Hanumān’s abilities surpass them in key respects.
Discernment (viveka) in leadership: recognizing the opponent’s strengths rather than underestimating them.