Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 10, Shloka 16
विभीषणोपदेशः
Vibhishana’s Counsel to Ravana and the Catalogue of Omens
अग्निष्ठेष्वग्निशलासुतथाब्रह्मस्थालीषुच ।सरीसृपाणिदृश्यन्तेहन्येषुचपिपीलिकाः ।।।।
agniṣṭheṣv agniśālāsu tathā brahmasthālīṣu ca | sarīsṛpāṇi dṛśyante havyeṣu ca pipīlikāḥ ||
In the household hearths, in the fire-halls of sacrifice, and even at the sacred offering-places, serpents are seen; and ants are found crawling in the oblations.
"In the cooking fire, in places of fire sacrifice, so also at places where offerings are made into fire, serpents are seen. Ants are seen in the Havis."
FAQs
Dharma is associated with order and purity; the invasion of sacred spaces by pests symbolizes disorder arising when righteousness is violated.
Vibhīṣaṇa continues listing ominous disturbances affecting domestic and ritual spaces in Laṅkā.
Responsibility in counsel: he warns through concrete, observable signs rather than abstract accusation alone.