Shloka 6.30.19

शार्दूलचरवृत्तान्तः (Saardula’s Spy-Report on Rama’s Camp and the Vanara Host)

Devanagari script

अथैवमुक्तश्शार्दूलोरावणेनोत्तमश्चरः ।इदंवचनमारेभेवक्तुंरावणसन्निधौ ।।6.30.19।।

Transliteration

tathātra pratipatsyāmi jñātvā teṣāṃ balābalam | avaśyaṃ balasaṅkhyānaṃ kartavyaṃ yuddham icchatām ||6.30.18||

Translation

Only after discerning their strengths and weaknesses will I decide what must be done here; for those who seek war, the reckoning of strength and numbers is indispensable.

Context

"When Ravana had spoken that way, good spy Saardula proceeded to tell these words in the presence of Ravana."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Śārdūla
• Vānara forces (implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma in governance includes due diligence: decisions affecting many lives should be grounded in truthful assessment, not impulse.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa explains why he needs detailed intelligence—he wants to evaluate the enemy’s strengths, weaknesses, and numbers before acting.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence and calculation in leadership—though ethically neutral by itself, it becomes meaningful depending on whether it serves dharma or adharma.