Shloka 2
रावण-सारथि-संवादः
Ravana and the Charioteer: Counsel, Omens, and Battlefield Conduct
हीनवीर्यमिवाशक्तंपौरुषेणविवर्जितम् ।भीरुंलघुमिवासत्त्वंविहीनमिवतेजसा ।।।।विमुक्तमिवमायाभिरस्त्रैरिवबहिष्कृतम् ।मामवज्ञायदुर्बुद्धेस्वयाबुद्ध्याविचेष्टसे ।।।।
hīna-vīryam ivāśaktaṃ pauruṣeṇa vivarjitam |
bhīruṃ laghum ivāsattvaṃ vihīnam iva tejasā ||
vimuktam iva māyābhir astrair iva bahiṣkṛtam |
mām avajñāya durbuddhe svayā buddhyā viceṣṭase ||
私を勇気なく無能で、男らしさに欠けた者――臆病で卑小、気力も威光もない者――まるで策略に見放され、武器に見捨てられたかのように思い込み、愚か者よ、お前は私を軽視し、自らの誤った判断で行動している。
"You dullard! Disdaining me as not capable, lacking manliness, powerless, deficient in valour, timid, incapable, petty, devoid of energy, not knowing conjuring tricks, abandoned weapons, driven out, you act not knowing me in your own way foolishly using your discretion."
FAQs
Dharma restrains harsh speech and ego-driven accusation; leadership should correct with fairness, not insult born of pride and suspicion.
Rāvaṇa lashes out at his charioteer, interpreting a tactical withdrawal/handling of the chariot as disrespect and incompetence.
By contrast (negatively), the verse highlights the lack of kṣamā (forbearance) and the danger of ahaṅkāra (ego) in a ruler.