Shloka 10

रावणस्य मन्त्रविचारः

Ravana’s Council on Strategy

Devanagari script

गुणदोषौवनिशिचत्य त्यक्त्यादैवव्यपाश्रयम् ।।6.6.10।।करिष्यामीतियःकार्यमुपेक्षेत्सनराधमः ।

Transliteration

guṇadoṣau va niścitya tyaktvā daivavyapāśrayam |

kariṣyāmīti yaḥ kāryam upekṣet sa narādhamaḥ ||6.6.10||

Translation

Wer, ohne Verdienst und Fehl zu erwägen und die Zuflucht zum Walten des Schicksals aufgebend, ein Werk unternimmt und dabei denkt: „Ich allein werde es tun“, der ist der Niedrigste unter den Menschen.

Word by Word

yathājust as

imethese

puruṣāḥmen

nityamalways

uttama-adhama-madhyamāḥbest, worst, and middling

evamso, likewise

mantrāḥcounsels, plans

hiindeed

vijñeyāḥare to be understood

uttama-adhama-madhyamāḥas best, worst, and middling

Context

"He who fails to consider the merits and de merits, decides to do on his own and begins without faith in god saying, 'I' will do it, is a lowly one among men."

Characters & Entities

Rāvaṇa

daiva (providence/ethical order)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma in governance requires discernment (guṇa-doṣa-vicāra) and humility. Acting from ego—“I alone”—without assessing consequences violates responsible action and truth-oriented judgment (Satya).

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa outlines standards of sound decision-making to his rākṣasa assembly in the wake of crisis caused by Hanumān.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The virtue taught is prudence: careful evaluation, non-egotism, and accountable initiative.