Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 35, Shloka 15
माल्यवानुपदेशः
Malyavan’s Counsel, Portents in Laṅkā, and the Proposal of Alliance
तत्त्वयाचरयालोकान्धर्मोपिविनिहतोमहान् ।।।।अधर्मःप्रगृहीतश्चतेनास्मद्बलिनःपरे ।
tattvayā caratā lokān dharmo 'pi vinihato mahān | adharmaḥ pragṛhītaś ca tenās mad-balinaḥ pare |
وأنت تجوب العوالم، قد أزهقتَ حتى الدارما العظيمة واعتنقتَ الأدهارما؛ لذلك صار الأعداء، القائمون مع الاستقامة، أقوى منا.
"While you were ranging in all the worlds, you gave up righteousness and embraced unrighteousness. Therefore, the enemy who is righteous is stronger than you."
FAQs
Power ultimately follows dharma: abandoning righteousness weakens one’s cause from within, while the righteous gain strength and legitimacy.
The advisor attributes the strategic disadvantage of Laṅkā’s side to Rāvaṇa’s sustained commitment to adharma.
Accountability in governance—recognizing that a ruler’s personal conduct determines collective fate.