Shloka 4
रावण-सारथि-संवादः
Ravana and the Charioteer: Counsel, Omens, and Battlefield Conduct
किमर्थंमामवज्ञायमच्छन्दमनवेक्ष्य च ।त्वयाशत्रुसमक्षंमेरथोऽयमपवाहितः ।।।।
kimarthaṃ mām avajñāya macchandam anavekṣya ca | tvayā śatrusamakṣaṃ me ratho 'yam apavāhitaḥ ||
Aus welchem Grund hast du mich missachtet und meinen Willen nicht beachtet und diesen meinen Wagen — in Gegenwart des Feindes — fortgelenkt?
Not knowing my opinion, for what reason have you removed my chariot in the presence of my enemy, belittling me?
FAQs
It frames a battlefield ethic of honor and accountability: actions affecting a leader’s public standing should not be taken without consent; dharma involves respecting authority and situational propriety.
Rāvaṇa confronts his charioteer for withdrawing the chariot while facing the enemy, interpreting it as humiliation.
Respect for mandate and clarity of communication—acting after considering the leader’s intent (chanda).