Shloka 8
रावण-सारथि-संवादः
Ravana and the Charioteer: Counsel, Omens, and Battlefield Conduct
न हितद्विद्यतेकर्मसुहृदोहितकाङ्क्षिणः ।रिपूणांसदृशंत्वेतद्यतत्त्वयैतदनुष्ठितम् ।।।।
na hitaṃ vidyate karma suhṛdo hitakāṅkṣiṇaḥ | ripūṇāṃ sadṛśaṃ tv etad yat tvayā etad anuṣṭhitam ||
Dies ist keine Tat eines Freundes, der das Wohl des anderen sucht; was du getan hast, ziemt vielmehr Feinden.
What has been done by you is not befitting, this is What an enemy should have done. Being good at heart you have done What is good for enemy.
FAQs
Dharma is framed as acting for another’s genuine welfare (hita). A true ally’s actions should protect and support; harmful outcomes resemble enemy conduct.
Rāvaṇa rebukes the charioteer, claiming the withdrawal served the enemy’s advantage rather than his own.
Well-wishing friendship (suhṛt-bhāva): actions should align with the friend’s good, not merely personal caution.