Shloka 18
महोदर-वाक्यं कुम्भकर्ण-प्रतिषेधः
Mahodara’s Counsel and the Critique of Kumbhakarna’s Solo Assault
यस्यनास्तिमनुष्येषुसदृशोराक्षसोत्तम ।कथमाशंससेयोद्धुंतुल्येनेन्द्रविवस्वतोः ।।।।
yasya nāsti manuṣyeṣu sadṛśo rākṣasottama |
katham āśaṃsase yoddhuṃ tulyenendra-vivasvatoḥ ||
O Bester unter den Rākṣasas, unter den Menschen gibt es keinen, der ihm gleicht; wie hoffst du, gegen einen zu kämpfen, der Indra und Vivasvān, der Sonne, ebenbürtig ist?
"O Best of Rakshasas! How would you enter into combat with one who is great among all human beings and while even Indra and Sun God are not equal to him in war?"
FAQs
Dharma includes truthful recognition of merit (guṇa) even in an opponent. Denying evident excellence leads to unjust and disastrous choices.
Mahodara elevates Rāma’s stature to near-divine comparability, arguing that Kumbhakarṇa’s confidence is misplaced.
Satya (truthfulness) in appraisal: acknowledging the opponent’s true strength without self-deception.