Shloka 20
विभीषणोपदेशः
Vibhishana’s Counsel to Ravana and the Catalogue of Omens
गृध्राश्चपरिलीयन्तेपुरीमुपरिपिण्डिताः ।उपपन्नाश्चस्नध्येद्वेव्याहऱ्नत्यशिवंशिवाः ।।।।
gṛdhrāś ca parilīyante purīm upari piṇḍitāḥ | upapannāś ca sandhye dve vyāharanty aśivaṃ śivāḥ ||
Auch die Geier scharen sich in Haufen und lassen sich immer wieder über der Stadt nieder; und die Schakale, zu beiden Dämmerungen versammelt, stoßen unheilverkündende Schreie aus.
"Even the eagles are collecting together and standing over the houses of the capital repeatedly in both the auspicious times of morning and evening and making inauspicious sounds."
FAQs
Dharma warns through signs: when a ruler persists in adharma, the world itself appears to protest, urging repentance and restoration of rightful conduct.
As part of his counsel, Vibhīṣaṇa lists further ominous phenomena around Laṅkā—vultures and jackals crying at liminal times.
Steadfastness in truth: Vibhīṣaṇa continues to press uncomfortable warnings for the sake of the kingdom’s welfare.