Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 23
युद्धकाण्डे द्वादशः सर्गः — रावणस्य परिषद्-सम्बोधनं कुम्भकर्णस्य नीत्युपदेशश्च
Ravana’s Council Address and Kumbhakarna’s Counsel
मानुष्यान्नोभयंनास्तितथापितुविमृश्यताम् ।।6.12.22।।तदादेवासुरेयुद्धेयुष्माभिस्सहितोऽजयम् ।तेमेभवन्तश्चतथासुग्रीवप्रमुखान्हरीन् ।।6.12.23।।परेपारेसमुद्रस्यपुरस्कृत्यनृपात्मजौ ।सीतायाःपदवींप्राप्यसम्प्राप्तौवरुणालयाम् ।।6.12.24।।
mānuṣyān no bhayaṃ nāsti tathāpi tu vimṛśyatām ||6.12.22||
tadā devāsure yuddhe yuṣmābhiḥ sahito 'jayam |
te me bhavantaś ca tathā sugrīvapramukhān harīn ||6.12.23||
pare pāre samudrasya puraskṛtya nṛpātmajau |
sītāyāḥ padavīṃ prāpya samprāptau varuṇālayām ||6.12.24||
«Je ne crains pas les hommes ; pourtant, que l’affaire soit mûrement pesée. Jadis, dans la guerre entre les Deva et les Asura, j’ai vaincu avec vous. Et maintenant se tiennent là ces mêmes héros : Sugrīva et les premiers des chefs vānara. Les deux princes, fils de roi—Rāma et Lakṣmaṇa—ayant mis les vānara en avant-garde, ont atteint la rive lointaine de l’océan—demeure de Varuṇa—cherchant la voie qui mène à Sītā. Ainsi, conseillez une conduite à tenir.»
"There is no fear of human beings for me. I won the war between Devas and asuras along with you. As it is, all of you are there. There at the shore of the ocean Rama and Lakshmana have collected with Sugriva and other leaders placing Vanaras in front to get back Sita. You may suggest a way out to gain."
FAQs
Even while claiming fearlessness, the speaker urges deliberation (vimṛśyatām), reflecting the dharmic ideal that power must be guided by counsel, foresight, and responsibility rather than pride.
Satya appears as factual acknowledgment of the situation: the enemy has reached Varuṇa’s abode with a strong Vānara force and is seeking Sītā. Recognizing reality truthfully is presented as the basis for right decision-making.
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