Shloka 16
तारोपदेशः — Tara’s Counsel to Lakshmana
Restraint, Time, and Mobilization
अहत्वा तांश्च दुर्धर्षान्राक्षसान्कामरूपिणः।न शक्यो रावणो हन्तुं येन सा मैथिली हृता।।।।
ahatvā tāṃś ca durdharṣān rākṣasān kāmarūpiṇaḥ | na śakyo rāvaṇo hantuṃ yena sā maithilī hṛtā ||
Tanpa terlebih dahulu menewaskan para rākṣasa yang sukar ditundukkan, yang mampu berubah rupa sesuka hati itu, Rāvaṇa tidak mungkin dibunuh—dialah yang menculik Maithilī.
'It is not possible to kill Ravana who has stolen Sita without killing those unassailable demons who can assume any form at their will.
FAQs
Dharma-guided action requires removing enabling forces of wrongdoing: defeating the support structure of adharma is necessary before confronting its leader.
Tārā explains the military reality that Rāvaṇa is protected by formidable rākṣasas; they must be overcome first.
Strategic clarity—seeing the real obstacles rather than acting only from anger.