Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 7
राज्ञः शङ्का
प्रत्याख्यानम् (Daśaratha’s Objections to Sending Rāma) — Bala Kanda, Sarga 20
बालो ह्यकृतविद्यश्च न च वेत्ति बलाबलम्।न चास्त्रबलसंयुक्तो न च युद्धविशारद:।।।।न चासौ रक्षसां योग्य: कूटयुद्धा हि ते ध्रुवम् ।
bālo hy akṛtavidyaś ca na ca vetti balābalam | na cāstrabalasaṁyukto na ca yuddhaviśāradaḥ || na cāsau rakṣasāṁ yogyaḥ kūṭayuddhā hi te dhruvam ||
Il n’est qu’un enfant, sans formation au savoir de la guerre ; il ne discerne ni force ni faiblesse. Il n’est pas encore muni de la puissance des armes ni versé dans l’art du combat ; et il n’est pas apte à affronter les rākṣasas, car ils sont assurément rusés dans la bataille.
.I shall go there, protect the sacrifice and see that it is conducted without obstacles. Itis not proper to take Rama with you.
FAQs
The dharma of non-negligence in guardianship: one should not expose the unprepared to disproportionate danger, especially against adversaries who violate fair conduct.
Daśaratha argues that Rāma is too young and insufficiently trained, while the rākṣasas fight with deception—therefore Rāma should not be taken.
Protective discernment—Daśaratha evaluates capability and the enemy’s unethical methods before consenting to risk.