Shloka 4
शार्दूलचरवृत्तान्तः
Saardula’s Spy-Report on Rama’s Camp and the Vanara Host
इतितेनानुशिष्टस्तुवाचंमन्दमुदीरयत् ।तदाराक्षसशार्दूलंशार्दूलोभयविह्वलः ।।6.30.4।।
iti tenānuśiṣṭas tu vācaṁ mandam udīrayat |
tadā rākṣasaśārdūlaṁ śārdūlo bhayavihvalaḥ ||6.30.4||
Ainsi questionné et admonesté par lui, Śārdūla, bouleversé par la peur, adressa alors d’une voix faible sa parole à ce tigre parmi les rākṣasas.
"It is not even possible to recount the virtues of Rama who killed all the Rakshasas approaching Janasthana."
FAQs
Truthfulness under pressure: even in fear, the messenger must report faithfully; dharma in speech (satya) is implied by the act of delivering the account.
Śārdūla, intimidated by what he has seen and by Ravana’s presence, begins his report in a subdued tone.
Accountability in service: despite fear, the envoy proceeds to speak and deliver intelligence.