Shloka 14
निमित्तदर्शनम्
Portents Before the March to Laṅkā
इत्येवमुक्त्वाधर्मात्माधनवीसङ्ग्रामहर्षणः ।प्रतस्थेपुरतोरामोलङ्कामभिमुखोविभुः ।।6.23.14।।
ity evam uktvā dharmātmā dhanvī saṅgrāmaharṣaṇaḥ | pratasthē purato rāmo laṅkām abhimukho vibhuḥ ||
Nachdem er so gesprochen hatte, brach der rechtschaffene Rāma—den Bogen in der Hand, furchtgebietend im Kampf—an der Spitze auf, sein Antlitz nach Laṅkā gewandt, der Mächtige, der den Zug anführte.
"Lakshmana! Arrange a place in this forest where there is cool water and fruits for the battalions of the army, we shall remain (alert)."
FAQs
Dharma is leadership by example: Rama, described as dharmātmā, goes first, embodying courage and responsibility rather than pushing others ahead.
Rama concludes his instructions and personally leads the march toward Laṅkā, bow ready, at the head of the host.
Courage and moral authority—Rama’s righteous character legitimizes his martial action.