Shloka 6
महोदरवधः
The Slaying of Mahodara
एवमुक्तस्तथेत्युक्त्वाराक्षसेन्द्रोमहोदरः ।प्रविवेशारिसेनांतांपतङ्गइवपावकम् ।।6.98.6।।
evam uktaḥ tathety uktvā rākṣasendro mahodaraḥ |
praviveśārisenāṃ tāṃ pataṅga iva pāvakam ||6.98.6||
So angesprochen, erwiderte Mahodara, ein Fürst unter den Rākṣasas: „So sei es“, und stürzte sich in das feindliche Heer wie eine Motte ins Feuer.
And then Ravana spoke to Mahodara who was close by, one who is difficult to encounter, saying " At this time the hope for my victory is centered in you."
FAQs
The simile warns about reckless commitment to a doomed or unrighteous course—courage without discernment can become self-destruction.
Mahodara accepts Rāvaṇa’s command and charges into the opposing forces, foreshadowed as perilous through the fire-simile.
Fearlessness and obedience; the verse also implies the need for viveka (judgment), since bravery alone may lead to ruin.