Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 63, Shloka 16
कुम्भकर्णोपदेशः
Kumbhakarna’s Counsel and War-Boast to Ravana
अहितं च हिताकारंधार्ष्ट्याज्जल्पन्तियेनराः ।अवेक्ष्यमन्त्रबाह्यास्तेकर्तव्याःकृत्यदूषणा:।। 6.63.16।।
ahitaṁ ca hitākāraṁ dhārṣṭyāj jalpanti ye narāḥ |
avekṣya mantrabāhyās te kartavyāḥ kṛtyadūṣaṇāḥ || 6.63.16 ||
Those men who brazenly prattle what is harmful while dressing it as beneficial—after due scrutiny—must be kept outside the council, for they spoil the enterprise.
"Those who tender advice, which is unwholesome but in wholesome grab, out of their impudence should be kept away from discussion examining early as they mar the purpose."
FAQs
Satya and dharma in counsel demand truthfulness: harmful proposals disguised as ‘good’ are adharma and must be excluded after careful evaluation.
Kumbhakarṇa advises screening advisers and removing those whose deceptive speech undermines sound decision-making.
Integrity in counsel—prioritizing truth and welfare over persuasive but harmful talk.