Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 57, Shloka 11
प्रहस्तनिर्याणम्
Prahasta’s Departure and the Muster of the Rakshasa Host
आपत्संशयिताश्रेयोनात्रनिस्संशयीकृता ।।।।प्रतिलोमानुलोमंवायद्वानोमन्यसेहितम् ।
āpat-saṃśayitā śreyo nātra nissaṃśayī kṛtā | pratilomānulomaṃ vā yad vā no manyase hitam || 6.57.11 ||
В час бедствия то, что кажется «лучшим», становится сомнительным — здесь ничто не установлено безусловно. Потому рассуди, путь ли это противный или согласный, и избери то, что ты признаёшь истинно полезным.
"If uncertain death comes it is good, not when it comes by not encountering. Think what is acceptable to you and what is not acceptable to you and that is acceptable to me."
FAQs
Dharma requires discernment (viveka): in crisis, one must evaluate what truly serves the good (hita/śreyas), not merely what satisfies pride or impulse.
Amid war pressures, guidance is given that outcomes are uncertain; therefore the leader must judge which course is favorable or unfavorable and choose what seems beneficial.
Prudence and deliberation—choosing hita/śreyas through careful judgment.