Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 57, Shloka 14
प्रहस्तनिर्याणम्
Prahasta’s Departure and the Muster of the Rakshasa Host
प्रदानेनतुसीतायाःश्रेयोव्यवसितंमया ।।।।अप्रदानेपुनर्युद्धंदृष्टमेत्तथैवनः ।
pradānena tu sītāyāḥ śreyo vyavasitaṃ mayā | apradāne punar yuddhaṃ dṛṣṭam et tathaiva naḥ || 6.57.14 ||
I concluded that the better course is to give Sītā back; but if she is not given, then war—so it appears to us—will inevitably follow.
"If Sita is given away it is beneficial and if not given war is foreseen is known to us."
FAQs
Restitution is dharmic: returning what was wrongfully taken (Sītā) is the ‘better course’ and prevents wider harm.
Prahasta advises Rāvaṇa that giving Sītā back is best; refusing will lead to war.
Moral clarity and foresight—recognizing the righteous option and its practical consequences.