Shloka 2
मारीचाश्रमगमनम्
Ravana’s Journey to Maricha’s Hermitage
तत्कार्यमनुगम्याथ यथावदुपलभ्य च।दोषाणां च गुणानां च सम्प्रधार्य बलाबलम्।।।इति कर्तव्यमित्येव कृत्वा निश्चयमात्मनः।स्थिरबुद्धिस्ततो रम्यां यानशालां जगाम ह।।।।
tatkāryam anugamyātha yathāvad upalabhya ca |
doṣāṇāṁ ca guṇānāṁ ca sampradhārya balābalam ||
iti kartavyam ity eva kṛtvā niścayam ātmanaḥ |
sthirabuddhis tato ramyāṁ yānaśālāṁ jagāma ha ||
Tras considerar la tarea que tenía ante sí y comprenderla debidamente—sopesando faltas y méritos, y juzgando fuerzas y debilidades—decidió en su interior: «Esto es lo que debe hacerse». Con mente firme, se dirigió entonces al agradable cobertizo de los carros.
Deliberating on the task ahead, duly considering the pros and cons, demerits and merits, strength and weakness, of the issue and having firmly decided within himself, he left for the beautiful coach-shed.
FAQs
The verse highlights prudent deliberation: before acting, one should weigh merits and faults and assess strength versus weakness. In dharmic conduct, action is ideally preceded by clear discernment and firm resolve (niścaya).
Rāvaṇa, having decided on his next course of action, proceeds to the chariot-shed—signaling preparation for travel and the unfolding of his plan.
Steadiness of mind and decisiveness (sthirabuddhi, niścaya)—the capacity to form a settled decision after analysis (even though later events may show misuse of that resolve).