Shloka 3.35.2
मारीचाश्रमगमनम् (Ravana’s Journey to Maricha’s Hermitage)
तत्कार्यमनुगम्याथ यथावदुपलभ्य च।दोषाणां च गुणानां च सम्प्रधार्य बलाबलम्।।।इति कर्तव्यमित्येव कृत्वा निश्चयमात्मनः।स्थिरबुद्धिस्ततो रम्यां यानशालां जगाम ह।।।।
tatkāryam anugamyātha yathāvad upalabhya ca |
doṣāṇāṁ ca guṇānāṁ ca sampradhārya balābalam ||
iti kartavyam ity eva kṛtvā niścayam ātmanaḥ |
sthirabuddhis tato ramyāṁ yānaśālāṁ jagāma ha ||
Having reflected on the task before him and understood it rightly—after weighing faults and merits and judging strength and weakness—he resolved within himself, “This is what must be done.” Firm in mind, he then went to the delightful chariot-shed.
Deliberating on the task ahead, duly considering the pros and cons, demerits and merits, strength and weakness, of the issue and having firmly decided within himself, he left for the beautiful coach-shed.
The verse highlights prudent deliberation: before acting, one should weigh merits and faults and assess strength versus weakness. In dharmic conduct, action is ideally preceded by clear discernment and firm resolve (niścaya).
Rāvaṇa, having decided on his next course of action, proceeds to the chariot-shed—signaling preparation for travel and the unfolding of his plan.
Steadiness of mind and decisiveness (sthirabuddhi, niścaya)—the capacity to form a settled decision after analysis (even though later events may show misuse of that resolve).