Shloka 13
रावण-सारथि-संवादः
Ravana and the Charioteer: Counsel, Omens, and Battlefield Conduct
नास्मिन्नर्थेमहाराज त्वंमांप्रियहितेरतम् ।कश्चिल्लघुरिवानार्योदोषतोगन्तुमर्हसि ।।।।
nāsminn arthe mahārāja tvaṃ māṃ priya-hite ratam | kaścil laghur ivānāryo doṣato gantum arhasi ||
“Dalam hal ini, wahai Maharaja, janganlah tuanku menilai aku—yang tekun pada apa yang menyenangkan namun bermanfaat—seolah-olah aku orang hina yang tidak beradab, lalu menyalahkanku dengan sangkaan.”
"O King! I who wish your welfare ought not to be blamed like an unworthy and petty-minded person by mistake."
FAQs
Dharma requires fair appraisal of loyal service: a ruler must not misjudge sincere counselors as traitors or incompetents simply because advice is unwelcome.
The charioteer asks Rāvaṇa not to blame him wrongly, asserting his devotion to Rāvaṇa’s true interest.
Courageous honesty: the subordinate speaks respectfully yet firmly to correct an unjust suspicion.