Shloka 5.48.13

इन्द्रजित्प्रेषणम्—ब्रह्मास्त्रबन्धः, हनूमद्ग्रहणं, रावणसभाप्रवेशः (Indrajit’s Deployment—Brahmāstra Binding, Hanuman’s Capture, Entry into Ravana’s Court)

Devanagari script

न खल्वियं मतिश्श्रेष्ठा यत्त्वां सम्प्रेषयाम्यहम्।इयं च राजधर्माणां क्षत्रियस्य मतिर्मता।।।।

Transliteration

na khalv iyaṃ matiḥ śreṣṭhā yat tvāṃ sampreṣayāmy aham | iyaṃ ca rājadharmāṇāṃ kṣatriyasya matir matā ||

Translation

Truly, it is not the best counsel of my mind that I send you forth. Yet this is held to be the proper resolve of a kṣatriya, in accord with the dharma of kingship.

Context

"I am reluctant to send you to war in the circumstances. But you are the best choice for me. However, certainly this is the duty of a kshatriya who follows the science of polity. Hence I am sending you.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Indrajit (Meghanāda)
• kṣatriya
• rājadharma

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Rājadharma can compel difficult decisions: even with personal reluctance, a ruler follows the role-based duty of a kṣatriya to protect sovereignty and respond to threats.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa expresses hesitation yet justifies sending Indrajit to battle as consistent with kṣatriya state-duty.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sense of duty (kartavya-buddhi), even when the decision feels personally undesirable.