Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 7
राज्ञः शङ्का
प्रत्याख्यानम् (Daśaratha’s Objections to Sending Rāma) — Bala Kanda, Sarga 20
बालो ह्यकृतविद्यश्च न च वेत्ति बलाबलम्।न चास्त्रबलसंयुक्तो न च युद्धविशारद:।।।।न चासौ रक्षसां योग्य: कूटयुद्धा हि ते ध्रुवम् ।
bālo hy akṛtavidyaś ca na ca vetti balābalam | na cāstrabalasaṁyukto na ca yuddhaviśāradaḥ || na cāsau rakṣasāṁ yogyaḥ kūṭayuddhā hi te dhruvam ||
Siya’y bata pa at hindi pa nahuhubog sa kaalaman ng digmaan; hindi niya batid ang lakas at kahinaan. Wala pa siyang sandatang may ganap na kapangyarihan ni sanay sa pakikidigma; at hindi siya angkop humarap sa mga rākṣasa, sapagkat tiyak na mapanlinlang sila sa labanan.
.I shall go there, protect the sacrifice and see that it is conducted without obstacles. Itis not proper to take Rama with you.
FAQs
The dharma of non-negligence in guardianship: one should not expose the unprepared to disproportionate danger, especially against adversaries who violate fair conduct.
Daśaratha argues that Rāma is too young and insufficiently trained, while the rākṣasas fight with deception—therefore Rāma should not be taken.
Protective discernment—Daśaratha evaluates capability and the enemy’s unethical methods before consenting to risk.