Chapter 20 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 20

Valmiki Ramayana — Bala Kanda

Verse 20.8

न चासौ रक्षसां योग्यः कूटयुद्धा हि राक्षसाः। विप्रयुक्तो हि रामेण मुहूर्तमपि नोत्सहे॥ जीवितुं मुनिशार्दूल न रामं नेतुमर्हसि। यदि वा राघवं ब्रह्मन् नेतुमिच्छसि सुव्रत॥ चतुरङ्गसमायुक्तं मया सह च तं नय।

na cāsau rakṣasāṃ yogyaḥ kūṭayuddhā hi rākṣasāḥ| viprayukto hi rāmeṇa muhūrtamapi notsahe|| jīvituṃ muniśārdūla na rāmaṃ netumarhasi| yadi vā rāghavaṃ brahman netumicchasi suvrata|| caturaṅgasamāyuktaṃ mayā saha ca taṃ naya|

English Meaning

He is not a match for Räkşasas,-they being deceitful warriors. Bereft of Rāma, O tiger among ascetics, I cannot live for a moment. Therefore, it behove you not to take him. If, O Brahman, it is your intention to take Rāma, then O you of excellent vows, do you also take me along with the Caturanga forces! (An army consisting of foot, horse, elephants, and cars.)

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)