Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 46, Shloka 14

षट्चत्वारिंशः सर्गः

Ravana Deploys Five Generals; Hanuman Destroys the Commanders and the Remaining Host

Devanagari script

तथापि तु नयज्ञेन जयमाकाङ्क्षता रणे।।।।आत्मा रक्ष्यः प्रयत्नेन युद्धसिद्धिर्हि चञ्चला।

Transliteration

tathāpi tu nayajñena jayam ākāṅkṣatā raṇe |

ātmā rakṣyaḥ prayatnena yuddhasiddhir hi cañcalā ||

Translation

Namun demikian, sesiapa yang mengharapkan kemenangan di medan perang dengan kebijaksanaan strategi hendaklah menjaga dirinya dengan bersungguh-sungguh; kerana kejayaan dalam pertempuran sesungguhnya tidak menentu.

Word by Word

• तथापि: even then
• तथापि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्योपपादक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा + अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), संयोजक/विरोधार्थक (concessive): 'even so'

• तु: however
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्योपपादक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अवधान/विरोध (particle: 'but/however')

• नयज्ञेन: by prudent strategy
• नयज्ञेन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नय + ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-प्राय: नयज्ञः = नयेन ज्ञः (strategy-knowing, prudent); तेन = 'by prudence/strategy'

• जयम्: victory
• जयम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• आकाङ्क्षता: (by) desiring
• आकाङ्क्षता: Karta (कर्ता/Agent, implied)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-काṅ्क्ष् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (Present active participle), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; 'by one who desires' (agreeing with implied agent)

• रणे: in battle
• रणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• आत्मा: one's self
• आत्मा: Karma (कर्म/Object-to-be-protected)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• रक्ष्यः: must be protected
• रक्ष्यः: Vidhi (विधेय/Obligation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्/यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (Gerundive/obligatory participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'should be protected'

• प्रयत्नेन: with effort
• प्रयत्नेन: Karana (करण/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रयत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• युद्धसिद्धिः: success in war
• युद्धसिद्धिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युद्ध + सिद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: युद्धस्य सिद्धिः = 'success in war'

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्योपपादक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थ (particle: 'indeed/for')

• चञ्चला: unstable; uncertain
• चञ्चला: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चञ्चल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicate adjective)

Context

"Even then, you should safeguard yourself with great effort adopting war-strategies in an intelligent manner to be victorious, for success in war is uncertain.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Prudence and self-protection: dharma values measured action and awareness that outcomes are uncertain; strategy must be joined with caution.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa, after praising his forces, counsels them to act strategically and safeguard themselves because war results are unstable.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Nīti (practical wisdom): disciplined strategy and risk-awareness rather than reckless confidence.