Shloka 2
शार्दूलचरवृत्तान्तः
Saardula’s Spy-Report on Rama’s Camp and the Vanara Host
चाराणांरावणश्श्रुत्वाप्राप्तंरामंमहाबलम् ।जातोद्वेगोऽभवत्किञ्चिच्छार्दूलंवाक्यमब्रवीत् ।।6.30.2।।
cārāṇāṃ rāvaṇaḥ śrutvā prāptaṃ rāmaṃ mahābalam | jāto dvego 'bhavat kiñcit śārdūlaṃ vākyam abravīt ||6.30.2||
Apprenant par ses espions que le puissant Rāma était arrivé avec une grande armée, Rāvaṇa fut quelque peu troublé et s’adressa à Śārdūla.
"Having filled the great ocean with rocks and stones in that way, taking position at the entrance of Lanka Rama stands equipped with arms."
FAQs
Dharma here implicitly highlights responsible kingship: a ruler must heed truthful intelligence reports and respond with clear judgment rather than denial.
Rāvaṇa receives spy reports that Rāma has reached Laṅkā with a powerful force, and he turns to Śārdūla to speak further.
Strategic awareness (though mixed with fear): the verse underscores the importance of intelligence-gathering and timely counsel in governance.