Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 16
सागरप्रतीक्षा-क्रोधप्रादुर्भावः
Rama’s Vigil at the Ocean and the Rise of Wrath
नसाम्नाशक्यतेकीर्तिर्नसाम्नाशक्यतेयशः ।प्राप्तुंलक्ष्मण लोकेऽस्मिन् ञ्जयोवारणमूर्धनि ।।6.21.16।।
na sāmnā śakyate kīrtir na sāmnā śakyate yaśaḥ | prāptuṃ lakṣmaṇa loke 'smin jayo vā raṇamūrdhani ||6.21.16||
न साम्ना शक्यते कीर्तिर्न साम्ना शक्यते यशः । प्राप्तुं लक्ष्मण लोकेऽस्मिन् न जयः शस्त्रमूर्धनि ॥
"O! Lakshmana! Neither fame nor popularity can win a battle front in this world."
FAQs
Rājadharma requires appropriate means: conciliation has its place, but when dharma is obstructed, firmness and effective action may be necessary.
Rāma is justifying a shift from patient petitioning to decisive measures after the ocean’s continued silence.
Strategic discernment—choosing the right method (upāya) for a righteous objective.