Chapter 68 — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 68

Valmiki Ramayana — Sundara Kanda

Verse 68.21

अहं तावदिह प्राप्तः किं पुनस्ते महाबलाः। नहि प्रकृष्टाः प्रेष्यन्ते प्रेष्यन्ते हीतरे जनाः॥

ahaṃ tāvadiha prāptaḥ kiṃ punaste mahābalāḥ| nahi prakṛṣṭāḥ preṣyante preṣyante hītare janāḥ||

English Meaning

While I have crossed over the main-what of these mighty heroes? The leading heroes are never sent on a mission but only those of inferior merit.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)