Shloka 12
महोदर-वाक्यं कुम्भकर्ण-प्रतिषेधः
Mahodara’s Counsel and the Critique of Kumbhakarna’s Solo Assault
येनपूर्वंजनस्थानेबहवोऽतिबलाहताः ।राक्षसाराघवंतंत्वंकथमेकोजयिष्यसि ।।।।
yena pūrvaṃ janasthāne bahavo 'tibalā hatāḥ |
rākṣasā rāghavaṃ taṃ tvaṃ katham eko jayiṣyasi ||
Jener Rāghava, der einst in Janasthāna viele überaus starke Rākṣasas erschlug — wie willst du ihn allein besiegen?
"How is it possible for you single handed to win Raghava of exceeding might, who killed many Rakshasas in the past at Janasthana?"
FAQs
Dharma in governance and war includes clear-eyed assessment (viveka): ignoring proven capability of an opponent and acting from pride endangers one’s people and violates responsible duty.
Mahodara reminds Kumbhakarṇa of Rāma’s earlier feat at Janasthāna to argue that single-handed combat is strategically and morally reckless.
Viveka (discernment) and smṛti (learning from precedent): recalling past events to guide present action.