Shloka 17
महापार्श्वस्य परामर्शः
Mahāpārśva’s Counsel and Rāvaṇa’s Confession of Brahmā’s Curse
कोहिसिंहमिवासीनंसुप्तंगिरिगुहाशये ।क्रुद्धंमृत्युमिवाऽसीनंसम्भोधयितुमिच्छति ।।।।
ko hi siṃham ivāsīnaṃ suptaṃ giriguhāśaye |
kruddhaṃ mṛtyum ivāsīnaṃ sambodhayitum icchati ||
Wer wollte den wecken, der wie ein Löwe in einer Bergeshöhle schläft — oder wie der Tod selbst, sitzend und zornentbrannt?
"Rama has not seen my sharp arrows in comb at that are like the forked flame like the tongues of snakes. So, he is coming towards me."
FAQs
The verse showcases intimidation and self-deification—an adharma tendency where fear is used as authority, opposing dharma’s reliance on truth and justice.
Rāvaṇa portrays himself as a dormant but catastrophic force, mocking the idea that anyone would dare challenge him.
Implicitly, the challenger’s fearlessness (abhaya) is highlighted—Rāma advances despite such threats.