Shloka 24
शुकसारणनिग्रहः / Ravana Rebukes Suka and Sārana; Spies Reconnoiter Rama’s Camp
ततस्तेतंमहात्मानंचाराराक्षससत्तमम् ।कृत्वाप्रदक्षिणंजग्मुर्यत्ररामस्सलक्ष्मणः ।।।।
tatas te taṃ mahātmānaṃ cārā rākṣasa-sattamam | kṛtvā pradakṣiṇaṃ jagmur yatra rāmaḥ sa-lakṣmaṇaḥ ||
Kemudian para pengintip itu melakukan pradakṣiṇa dengan penuh hormat kepada sang mahatma, yang utama di antara para Rākṣasa, lalu pergi ke tempat Rāma bersama Lakṣmaṇa berada.
Then the spies circumambulated the great Rakshasa king and having done so went to the place where Rama and Lakshmana were stationed.
FAQs
The verse highlights maryādā (codes of conduct): even in a hostile mission, formal respect (pradakṣiṇa) is observed toward one’s sovereign, showing discipline and ordered duty.
Rākṣasa spies, after concluding their movement in the enemy vicinity, return and proceed toward the position where Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa are stationed.
Organized obedience and protocol in service—acting with restraint and procedure rather than impulsiveness.