Shloka 16
शार्दूलचरवृत्तान्तः
Saardula’s Spy-Report on Rama’s Camp and the Vanara Host
एवमुक्त्वामहातेजारावणःपुनरब्रवीत् ।चरिताभवतासेनाकेऽत्रशूराःप्लवङ्गमाः ।।6.30.16।।
evam uktvā mahātejā rāvaṇaḥ punar abravīt | caritā bhavatā senā ke 'tra śūrāḥ plavaṅgamāḥ ||6.30.16||
ครั้นกล่าวดังนั้นแล้ว ทศกัณฐ์ผู้ทรงเดชจึงกล่าวอีกว่า: “เจ้าตระเวนดูในกองทัพเขามาแล้ว—ในหมู่วานรนี้ ใครบ้างคือวีรบุรุษ?”
"Gentle Saardula! Of those who are difficult to encounter, what is their description? Who are the powerful ones among them? Whose sons and grandsons, are they? You may speak."
FAQs
Even in conflict, dharma values informed decision-making: assessing opponents realistically is part of responsible command, though it should serve a just cause.
Rāvaṇa interrogates his spy about the Vānara army’s capable fighters after refusing to return Sītā.
Practical prudence: gathering specific intelligence about adversaries before engaging in battle.