Shloka 16
तारोपदेशः — Tara’s Counsel to Lakshmana
Restraint, Time, and Mobilization
अहत्वा तांश्च दुर्धर्षान्राक्षसान्कामरूपिणः।न शक्यो रावणो हन्तुं येन सा मैथिली हृता।।।।
ahatvā tāṃś ca durdharṣān rākṣasān kāmarūpiṇaḥ | na śakyo rāvaṇo hantuṃ yena sā maithilī hṛtā ||
若不先诛灭那些难以攻破、能随意变形的罗刹，便无法杀死罗波那——正是他掳走了弥提利。
'It is not possible to kill Ravana who has stolen Sita without killing those unassailable demons who can assume any form at their will.
FAQs
Dharma-guided action requires removing enabling forces of wrongdoing: defeating the support structure of adharma is necessary before confronting its leader.
Tārā explains the military reality that Rāvaṇa is protected by formidable rākṣasas; they must be overcome first.
Strategic clarity—seeing the real obstacles rather than acting only from anger.