Shloka 6.21.14
सागरप्रतीक्षा-क्रोधप्रादुर्भावः (Rama’s Vigil at the Ocean and the Rise of Wrath)
अवलेपस्समुद्रस्यनदर्शयतियत्स्वयम् ।प्रशमश्चक्षमाचैवआर्जवंप्रियवादिता ।।6.21.14।।असामर्थ्यंफल्नात्येतेनिर्गुणेषुसतांगुणाः ।
avalephaḥ samudrasya na darśayati yat svayam | praśamaś ca kṣamā caiva ārjavaṃ priyavāditā ||6.21.14|| asāmarthyaṃ phalnāti ete nirguṇeṣu satāṃ guṇāḥ |
“The ocean’s arrogance is such that it does not present itself of its own accord. Calmness, forbearance, straightforwardness, and gentle speech—these virtues of the good, when shown to the unworthy, are taken as mere weakness.”
"Why is it that the ocean does not show up to me? Indeed, calmness, forbearance, straightforwardness, politeness of speech are all attributes of virtuous qualities and one without these attributes are considered incapable."
Dharma is balance: virtues like patience and gentle speech are ideal, yet leaders must recognize when such virtues are misread by the unworthy and must then act firmly to uphold righteousness.
Rāma explains to Lakṣmaṇa why the ocean’s silence has provoked him: the sea’s pride interprets respectful conduct as weakness.
Moral discernment in leadership—knowing when kṣamā (forbearance) supports dharma and when firmness is required.