Shloka 20
राक्षसपरिषद्वाक्यम्
Counsel of the Rakshasa Court to Ravana
तिष्ठवाकिंमहाराजश्रमे णतववानरान् ।अयमेकोमहाबाहुरिन्द्रजित्क्षपयिष्यति ।।।।
tiṣṭha vā kiṃ mahārāja śrameṇa tava vānarān | ayam eko mahābāhur indrajit kṣapayiṣyati ||
Bleibe, o großer König — warum dich gegen deine Affenfeinde ermüden? Dieser Indrajit, der Mächtigarmige, wird sie allein vernichten.
"Oh! great king, you stay here calmly. Why exert yourself? This strong armed Indrajith alone can destroy those Vanaras."
FAQs
It raises the dharmic issue of counsel: advising a ruler should be grounded in truth and long-term good, not in overconfidence that blinds one to the righteous opponent.
A minister reassures Rāvaṇa that Indrajit alone can finish the Vānara forces, urging the king not to exert himself.
Reliance on a champion’s strength (Indrajit’s prowess) is emphasized—though the epic later critiques misplaced reliance when dharma is opposed.