Shloka 29
धृवं नो हिंसिता राजा सर्वान्प्रतिगतानितः।।।।वधेनाप्रतिरूपेण श्रेयान्मृत्युरिहैव नः।
dhruvaṃ no hiṃsitā rājā sarvān pratigatān itaḥ |
vadhena apratirūpeṇa śreyān mṛtyur ihaiva naḥ ||
Sungguh, bila kita kembali dari sini, sang raja akan menyiksa kita semua dan menjatuhkan hukuman mati dengan cara yang mengerikan dan tak lazim; lebih baik bagi kita mati di sini saja.
FAQs
A mission accepted from a rightful leader carries consequences; the verse reflects how fear of punishment can distort judgment and push one toward self-destruction rather than truthful return and accountability.
After failing to find Sītā, the vānaras anticipate harsh punishment from Sugrīva if they return, and some consider death preferable.
Negative example highlighting loss of courage; it indirectly calls for steadiness and truthful reporting despite fear.