राज्ञः शङ्का
प्रत्याख्यानम् (Daśaratha’s Objections to Sending Rāma) — Bala Kanda, Sarga 20
पौलस्त्यवंशप्रभवो रावणो नाम राक्षस:।स ब्रह्मणा दत्तवरस्त्रैलोक्यं बाधते भृशम्।।1.20.16।।महाबलो महावीर्यो राक्षसैर्बहुभिर्वृत:।
paulastyavaṁśaprabhavo rāvaṇo nāma rākṣasaḥ | sa brahmaṇā dattavaras trailokyaṁ bādhate bhṛśam || 1.20.16 || mahābalo mahāvīryo rākṣasair bahubhir vṛtaḥ |
Il est un rākṣasa nommé Rāvaṇa, issu de la lignée de Pulastya. Fortifié par une grâce accordée par Brahmā, il tourmente durement les trois mondes ; puissant et vaillant, il est entouré de nombreux rākṣasas.
Dharma is threatened when power gained through boons or might is used to oppress the world; the verse frames Rāvaṇa’s tyranny as adharma that righteous rulers and sages must oppose to protect cosmic and social order.
Daśaratha explains to sage Viśvāmitra the scale of the rākṣasa threat, identifying Rāvaṇa as a boon-protected oppressor connected to the disturbances around sacrifices.
Daśaratha’s conscientious kingship and caution—he assesses the danger realistically before consenting to send his young son.