Shloka 6.25.1
शुकसारण-चारप्रवेशः (Suka and Sāraṇa’s Espionage and Release)
सबलेसागरंतीर्णेरामेदशरथात्मजे ।अमात्यौरावणश्रीमानब्रवीच्छुकसारणौ ।।।।
sabale sāgaraṃ tīrṇe rāme daśarathātmaje | amātyau rāvaṇaḥ śrīmān abravīc chuka-sāraṇau ||
When Rama, Dasaratha’s son, had crossed the ocean together with his army, the splendid Ravana addressed his two ministers, Shuka and Sarana.
On hearing about Rama, the son of Dasaratha crossing the shore of the ocean along with the army, exuberant Ravana spoke to his ministers Suka and Saarana.
The verse frames a decisive moment: power must respond to reality. Dharma here is vigilance and responsible governance—recognizing a changed situation (Rāma’s successful crossing) and acting with deliberation rather than denial.
After Rāma’s forces cross the ocean to Laṅkā’s region, Rāvaṇa summons/addresses his ministers Śuka and Sāraṇa, initiating a reconnaissance mission.
Strategic alertness (pramāda-rahitatā): the need to gather information before taking major decisions in conflict.