कुम्भकर्णप्रस्थानम्
Kumbhakarna’s Departure for Battle
महोदरोऽयंरामात्तुपरित्रस्तो न संशयः ।न हिरोचयतेतात युद्धंयुद्धविशारद ।।।।
mahodaro 'yaṃ rāmāt tu paritrasto na saṃśayaḥ | na hi rocayate tāta yuddhaṃ yuddhaviśārada ||
Mahodara này hẳn đã khiếp sợ Rama, không còn nghi ngờ gì. Dù tinh thông chiến trận, hắn cũng chẳng thật lòng tán thành việc giao chiến, hỡi hiền đệ.
"O dear! You are an expert in war! This Mahodara is terrified at Rama. He is not desiring war. There is no doubt."
It critiques fear-driven counsel: dharma in leadership requires clarity and steadiness, not advice distorted by panic.
Kumbhakarna exposes Mahodara’s reluctance to fight as stemming from fear of Rama while speaking to Ravana.
Candor and discernment: identifying the true motive behind an adviser’s words.