Shloka 4
युद्धकाण्डे द्वादशः सर्गः — रावणस्य परिषद्-सम्बोधनं कुम्भकर्णस्य नीत्युपदेशश्च
Ravana’s Council Address and Kumbhakarna’s Counsel
ततोविनिक्षिप्यबलंसर्वनगरगुप्तये ।प्रहस्तःप्रमुखेराज्ञोनिषसादजगादच ।।6.12.4।।
tato vinikṣipya balaṃ sarva-nagara-guptaye | prahastaḥ pramukhe rājño niṣasāda jagāda ca || 6.12.4 ||
Kemudian Prahasta, setelah menempatkan bala tentera untuk menjaga seluruh kota, duduk di hadapan raja lalu berkata dengan hormat.
"He who seeks to perform earlier what has to be done later and does later what have to be done earlier is not a knower of right and wrong."
FAQs
Rajadharma: before pursuing aggressive aims, a ruler’s side must ensure the protection of the city and subjects through orderly defense.
In Lanka, Prahasta organizes the city’s defense and then approaches Ravana to speak in counsel.
Administrative prudence and preparedness—acting with forethought rather than impulse.