Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 106, Shloka 2
रावण-सारथि-संवादः
Ravana and the Charioteer: Counsel, Omens, and Battlefield Conduct
हीनवीर्यमिवाशक्तंपौरुषेणविवर्जितम् ।भीरुंलघुमिवासत्त्वंविहीनमिवतेजसा ।।।।विमुक्तमिवमायाभिरस्त्रैरिवबहिष्कृतम् ।मामवज्ञायदुर्बुद्धेस्वयाबुद्ध्याविचेष्टसे ।।।।
hīna-vīryam ivāśaktaṃ pauruṣeṇa vivarjitam |
bhīruṃ laghum ivāsattvaṃ vihīnam iva tejasā ||
vimuktam iva māyābhir astrair iva bahiṣkṛtam |
mām avajñāya durbuddhe svayā buddhyā viceṣṭase ||
Me prenant pour un être dépourvu de valeur et incapable, dénué de virilité — timide, insignifiant, manquant d'esprit et de splendeur — comme abandonné par les stratagèmes et rejeté par les armes, toi, homme insensé, tu me méprises et agis selon ton propre jugement erroné.
"You dullard! Disdaining me as not capable, lacking manliness, powerless, deficient in valour, timid, incapable, petty, devoid of energy, not knowing conjuring tricks, abandoned weapons, driven out, you act not knowing me in your own way foolishly using your discretion."
FAQs
Dharma restrains harsh speech and ego-driven accusation; leadership should correct with fairness, not insult born of pride and suspicion.
Rāvaṇa lashes out at his charioteer, interpreting a tactical withdrawal/handling of the chariot as disrespect and incompetence.
By contrast (negatively), the verse highlights the lack of kṣamā (forbearance) and the danger of ahaṅkāra (ego) in a ruler.