Shloka 22
विभीषणोपदेशे रावणस्य परुषवाक्यम्
Ravana’s Harsh Reply to Vibhishana’s Counsel
बद्धंकालस्यपाशेनसर्वभूतापहारिणा ।ननश्यन्तमुपेक्षेत्वांप्रदीप्तंशरणंयथा ।।।।
baddhaṃ kālasya pāśena sarvabhūtāpahāriṇā | na naśyantam upekṣet tvāṃ pradīptaṃ śaraṇaṃ yathā ||
Gebunden durch die Schlinge des Kāla, der alle Wesen hinwegrafft, gehst du dem Untergang entgegen; man darf dich nicht übersehen — wie man ein loderndes Haus nicht übergehen kann.
"Bound by the noose of death which is the cause of destruction of all beings you are going to be killed just as the burning house if you ignore my advice."
FAQs
Dharma includes urgent prevention of harm: when destruction is imminent, wise counsel must not be dismissed, just as one cannot ignore a house on fire.
Vibhīṣaṇa warns Rāvaṇa that death is closing in and that ignoring counsel will lead to inevitable downfall.
Compassionate responsibility—Vibhīṣaṇa still attempts to save Rāvaṇa from self-destruction.