Shloka 6.108.7
रावणरथवैभव–निमित्तदर्शन–राममातलिसंवादः (Ravana’s Chariot, Portents, and Rama–Matali Instructions)
शराधाराविमुञ्चन्तंधारासारमिवाम्बुदम् ।तंदृष्टवामेघसङ्काशमापतन्तंरथंरिपोः ।।।।गिरेर्वज्राभिमृष्टस्यदीर्यतस्सदृशस्वनम् ।विस्पारयन्वैवेगेनबालचन्द्रानतंधनुः ।।।।उवाचसारथिंरामंसहस्राक्षस्यमातलिम् ।
mātale paśya samrabdham āpatantaṃ rathaṃ ripoḥ | yathāpasavyaṃ patatā vegena mahatā punaḥ | samare hantum ātmānaṃ tathānena kṛtā matiḥ ||
“Mātali, look—how the enemy’s chariot rushes forward in reckless haste, turning back again in a contrary course with great speed. It seems to me his resolve is set on destroying himself in this battle.”
The flow of arrows (from Ravana) released from the chariot were seen by Rama like the flow of water from rain clouds. Seeing that, Sri Rama made terrific sounds by stretching his bow to crescent shape, and it was as if a mountain struck by thunderbolt had broken and resounding and seeing Matali, charioteer of Indra, Sri Rama spoke as follows.
Righteous action includes clear perception and truthful assessment: Rāma interprets the enemy’s inauspicious movement as self-destructive adharma leading to ruin.
Rāma notices Rāvaṇa’s chariot maneuvering oddly and comments to Mātali, reading it as a sign of impending downfall.
Prudence and truthfulness—Rāma speaks plainly and judges the battlefield signs without delusion.