Shloka 6.108.10
रावणरथवैभव–निमित्तदर्शन–राममातलिसंवादः (Ravana’s Chariot, Portents, and Rama–Matali Instructions)
मातलेपश्यसम्रद्धमापतन्तंरथंरिपोः ।।6.108.9।।यथापसव्यंपततावेगेनमहतापुनः ।समरेहन्तुमात्मानंतथानेनकृतामतिः ।।6.108.10।।
mātale paśya samṛddham āpatantaṃ rathaṃ ripoh |
yathāpasavyaṃ patatā vegena mahatā punaḥ |
samare hantum ātmānaṃ tathānena kṛtāmatiḥ ||6.108.10||
Mātali, look—the enemy’s splendid chariot rushes in; turning back the wrong way, he charges again with tremendous speed. To me it seems his resolve is such that, in battle, he is bent upon his own destruction.
"Matali! the enemy's chariot is darting forward hurriedly. See him coming in the reverse direction with great speed once again. It strikes my mind that he is surely causing his fall."
Apramāda (non-negligence) in righteous action: even when fighting for Dharma, one must observe carefully, interpret signs, and act with disciplined awareness rather than impulse.
Rāma observes Rāvaṇa’s aggressive maneuvering and warns Mātali, reading the enemy’s reckless charge as self-destructive.
Rāma’s strategic clarity: he combines courage with measured judgment, a hallmark of dharmic leadership.