Shloka 12
युद्धकाण्डे द्वितीयः सर्गः — Sugriva’s Counsel: From Grief to Strategy
Bridge to Lanka
सेतुर्बद्धस्समुद्रेचयावल्लङ्कास्समीपतः ।।।।सर्वंतीर्णंचमेसैन्यंजितमित्युपधारय ।इमेहिसमरेवीराहरयःकामरूपिण ।।।।
setur baddhaḥ samudre ca yāval laṅkā-samīpataḥ |
sarvaṃ tīrṇaṃ ca me sainyaṃ jitam ity upadhāraya |
ime hi samare vīrā harayaḥ kāmarūpiṇaḥ ||
待海上之桥筑成，直抵楞迦近旁，我的全军尽皆渡过之时，你当认定胜利已定——因为这些婆那罗勇士在战阵中英勇无畏，且能随意变现形貌。
"On building a bridge over the large ocean up to Lanka, when all my army of vanaras can cross over, you may consider that you have won. These vanaras are heroic in war and can assume any form at will."
FAQs
Dharma as right leadership: inspire rightful action by aligning confidence with concrete steps—success is framed as the fruit of organized effort, not wishful thinking.
Counsel is given that building the bridge enables the full crossing of the Vānara host, marking the decisive turning point toward Laṅkā’s conquest.
Leadership through reassurance—strengthening resolve by highlighting the allies’ capabilities and the achievable path to victory.