Shloka 6.112.18

रावणवधोत्तरं विभीषणशोकः—क्षत्रधर्मोपदेशः (Vibhishana’s Lament after Ravana’s Fall; Instruction on Kshatriya-Dharma)

Devanagari script

नैकान्तविजयोयुद्धेभूतपूर्वःकदाचन ।परैराहन्यतेवीरःपरान्वाहन्तिसंयुगे ।।।।

Transliteration

naikāntavijayo yuddhe bhūtapūrvaḥ kadācana |

parair āhanyate vīraḥ parān vā hanti saṃyuge ||

Translation

In war there has never been, at any time, an assured one-sided victory. In battle a hero may strike down the foe, or he may himself be struck down by the foe.

Context

"Not only that, in war, he will only will be victorious is not true now or before. Hero may kill the enemy or will be killed by the enemy."

FAQs

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

Kṣātra-dharma: war has inherent uncertainty; one must accept risk and outcome without clinging to guaranteed victory.

What is the narrative situation?

After a major warrior’s fall in the war at Laṅkā, counsel is given to frame the event as a natural consequence of battle rather than an anomaly.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfast realism and composure—seeing war’s outcomes as contingent, and not as grounds for uncontrolled grief or pride.