Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 64, Shloka 17
महोदर-वाक्यं कुम्भकर्ण-प्रतिषेधः
Mahodara’s Counsel and the Critique of Kumbhakarna’s Solo Assault
हीनार्थस्तुसमृद्धार्थंकोरिपुंप्राकृतंयथा ।निश्चित्यजीवितत्यागेवशमानेतुमिच्छति ।।।।
hīnārthas tu samṛddhārthaṃ ko ripuṃ prākṛtaṃ yathā |
niścitya jīvitatyāge vaśam ānetum icchati ||
جو وسائل میں کمزور ہو، وہ کون ہے جو—کسی عام نادان کی طرح—اپنی جان قربان کرنے کا پکا ارادہ کر کے، وسائل میں مالا مال دشمن کے آگے سرِ تسلیم خم کرنا چاہے؟
"How can a weak person desire to go to the enemy who is rich in resources, determined to sacrifice his life several times and submit himself?"
FAQs
Dharma rejects self-harm and futile sacrifice when it serves no righteous end. Courage must be guided by proportionality and purpose, not by a nihilistic readiness to die.
Mahodara frames Kumbhakarṇa’s solo advance as irrational submission to a stronger opponent, warning against a needless death.
Practical judgment (nīti) over empty valor—measuring strength, resources, and consequences.