Shloka 3.21.16
खर-शूर्पणखा-संवादः | Khara and Surpanakha: Lament, Reproach, and the Janasthana Crisis
बुद्ध्याहमनुपश्यामि न त्वं रामस्य संयुगे।।।।स्थातुं प्रतिमुखे शक्तस्सबलश्च महात्मनः।
buddhyāham anupaśyāmi na tvaṁ rāmasya saṁyuge | sthātuṁ pratimukhe śaktaḥ sabalaś ca mahātmanaḥ ||
By my own discernment I foresee this: even with your forces, you do not have the strength to stand face to face with the great-souled Rama in battle.
Instinctively I can foresee that you and your army do not have the capability to encounter that great Rama in a fight.
It points to satya-like candor about consequences: clear-eyed assessment should restrain reckless violence. Dharma favors discernment (buddhi) over pride-driven conflict.
Śūrpaṇakhā attempts to provoke action while simultaneously asserting that Khara—even with troops—cannot match Rama in direct combat.
Discernment (buddhi) is invoked—though used here to intensify fear and pressure, it still underscores the Ramayana theme that true strength includes clear judgment.