Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 3, Shloka 19
लङ्कादुर्गवर्णनम्
Description of Lanka’s Fortifications and Forces
स्वयंप्रकृतिमापन्नोयुयुत्सूराम रावण: ।उत्थितश्चाप्रमत्तश्चबलानामनुदर्शने ।।।।
svayaṃ prakṛtim āpanno yuyutsu rāma rāvaṇaḥ | utthitaś cāpramattaś ca balānām anudarśane ||
Wahai Rāma, Rāvaṇa sendiri—bertekad untuk bertempur—telah kembali pada tabiatnya; ia bangkit, selalu waspada, meninjau dan mengatur penempatan bala tentaranya.
"O Rama! Ravana, who is hostile in his intentions, assuming his natural tendency which is eagerness to combat, is always very alert and looks after the army."
FAQs
It highlights a morally neutral but important principle: leadership requires vigilance and oversight. In the Ramayana’s ethical frame, such capability becomes dangerous when divorced from dharma, as in Rāvaṇa’s case.
Rāma is being warned that Rāvaṇa is fully prepared and personally directing military readiness.
Alertness and command responsibility (apramāda)—a real virtue, though here possessed by an adharmic ruler.
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