Shloka 5.38.35
अभिज्ञानप्रदानम् — The Token of Recognition (Chūḍāmaṇi) and the Crow Episode Recalled
परिद्यूनं विषण्णं च स तमायान्तमब्रवीत्।।5.38.35।।मोघं कर्तुं न शक्यं तु ब्राह्ममस्त्रं तदुच्यताम्।
paridyūnaṃ viṣaṇṇaṃ ca sa tam āyāntam abravīt || 5.38.35 ||
moghaṃ kartuṃ na śakyaṃ tu brāhmam astraṃ tad ucyatām |
Seeing him return distressed and dejected, Rāma said: “The Brahmā-weapon cannot be made futile; therefore, tell what must be done.”
'Rama, you saw the crow in pain and despondency who returned to you and said that it is not possible to make Brahma's weapon ineffectual.You may tell now. (what should be done.)
A righteous person must not act frivolously with sacred power; once invoked, divine force must be resolved truthfully and responsibly, not rendered meaningless.
Rāma acknowledges the crow’s surrender but also the inviolability of the brahmāstra, asking for a lawful way to satisfy both compassion and the weapon’s purpose.
Satya and restraint: Rāma refuses to nullify a consecrated act, seeking a dharmic resolution rather than arbitrary indulgence.