Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 46, Shloka 14
षट्चत्वारिंशः सर्गः
Ravana Deploys Five Generals; Hanuman Destroys the Commanders and the Remaining Host
तथापि तु नयज्ञेन जयमाकाङ्क्षता रणे।।।।आत्मा रक्ष्यः प्रयत्नेन युद्धसिद्धिर्हि चञ्चला।
tathāpi tu nayajñena jayam ākāṅkṣatā raṇe |
ātmā rakṣyaḥ prayatnena yuddhasiddhir hi cañcalā ||
फिर भी, जो नीति-बुद्धि से युद्ध में विजय चाहता है, उसे प्रयत्नपूर्वक अपनी रक्षा करनी चाहिए; क्योंकि युद्ध की सिद्धि सचमुच चञ्चल (अनिश्चित) होती है।
"Even then, you should safeguard yourself with great effort adopting war-strategies in an intelligent manner to be victorious, for success in war is uncertain.
FAQs
Prudence and self-protection: dharma values measured action and awareness that outcomes are uncertain; strategy must be joined with caution.
Rāvaṇa, after praising his forces, counsels them to act strategically and safeguard themselves because war results are unstable.
Nīti (practical wisdom): disciplined strategy and risk-awareness rather than reckless confidence.