Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 8
विभीषणोपदेशः
Vibhishana’s Counsel to Ravana
अप्युपायैस्त्रिभिस्तातयोऽर्थःप्राप्तुंनशक्यते ।तस्यविक्रमकालांस्तान्युक्तानाहुर्मनीषिणः ।।।।
apy upāyais tribhis tāta yo 'rthaḥ prāptuṃ na śakyate |
tasya vikramakālāṃs tān yuktān āhur manīṣiṇaḥ ||
“Dear father, if an aim cannot be achieved even by the three policy-means, then the wise say that only then is the time for disciplined valor—heroic action undertaken with due effort.”
"Dear father, intelligent people say that an act which cannot be accomplished by the three means (Sama - Conciliation, Dana - Gift, Bheda - Sowing dissension), should only be accomplished diligently by one's heroic deed. Therefore, we should think of war only after the above three means are employed."
FAQs
War/force is ethically last: dharma in governance requires exhausting peaceful and strategic means first; only when they fail does righteous valor become appropriate.
Vibhīṣaṇa advises Rāvaṇa on proper policy: attempt conciliation, gifts, and division before resorting to battle.
Practical wisdom (nīti) aligned with dharma—Vibhīṣaṇa advocates measured, rule-based decision-making rather than impulsive aggression.