Shloka 35
लङ्कानिरीक्षणं व्यूहविन्यासश्च
Survey of Lanka and Deployment of the Battle Formation
पुराप्राकारमायान्तिक्षिप्रमेकतरंकुरु ।सीतांवास्मैप्रयच्छाशुसुयुद्धंवापिप्रदीयताम् ।।।।
purā prākāram āyānti kṣipram ekataraṃ kuru |
sītāṃ vā asmai prayacchāśu suyuddhaṃ vāpi pradīyatām ||
彼らが城壁に至る前に、速やかに二つのうち一つを決せよ。すなわち、ただちにシーターを彼に返すか、あるいは正当で相応しい戦いを与えるのだ。
"They will reach the boundary wall. At once you may do one of the two that I suggest you do. I implore you either to give away Sita or give good battle."
FAQs
Rāja-dharma: a ruler must choose the righteous option—restore what was taken unjustly (Sītā), or face a just war; delay and evasion worsen adharma.
Śuka urges Rāvaṇa to act immediately because the enemy host is nearing Laṅkā’s defenses.
Prudence joined to ethics—sound counsel that aligns strategy with moral responsibility.