Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 10, Shloka 21
विभीषणोपदेशः
Vibhishana’s Counsel to Ravana and the Catalogue of Omens
क्रव्यादानांमृगाणांचपुरीद्वारेषुसङ्घशः ।श्रूयन्तेविपुलाघोषास्सविस्फूर्जितनिस्स्वनाः ।।।।
kravyādānāṁ mṛgāṇāṁ ca purīdvāreṣu saṅghaśaḥ |
śrūyante vipulā ghoṣāḥ savisphūrjita-nissvanāḥ ||
At the city-gates, in gathered groups, the loud cries of carnivorous beasts were heard—rumbling and cracking like thunder.
"Therefore, the task (of burning Lanka) has commenced. I have thought of this appropriate atonement. Restore Vaidehi to Rama."
FAQs
The verse frames a moral atmosphere: when adharma dominates, nature itself seems to signal disorder through ominous sounds—an implicit warning to return to righteous conduct.
The scene depicts ominous noises at the capital’s entrances, building tension as events move toward confrontation.
Not a personal virtue, but discernment: the epic invites the audience to read signs and consequences that follow unrighteous choices.