Shloka 3.31.5
अकम्पनवृत्तान्तः — Akampana Reports Janasthana; Ravana Plans Sita’s Abduction
न हि मे विप्रियं कृत्वा शक्यं मघवता सुखम्।प्राप्तुं वैश्रवणेनापि न यमेन न विष्णुना।।3.31.5।।
evam ukto daśagrīvo mārīcena sa rāvaṇaḥ | nyavartata purīṃ laṅkāṃ viveśa ca gṛhottamam || 3.31.50 ||
Thus addressed by Mārīca, Rāvaṇa of the ten heads turned back, returned to the city of Laṅkā, and entered his finest mansion.
One who has caused displeasure to me cannot be happy, be it Indra or Kubera, or Yama or even Visnu.
The verse underscores the importance of heeding wise counsel; turning back can be a dhārmic act when it prevents wrongdoing—though later narrative developments show Rāvaṇa’s failure to sustain that restraint.
The narrator reports the immediate outcome of Mārīca’s words: Rāvaṇa returns to Laṅkā and goes into his residence.
Momentary receptivity to counsel (śravaṇa of nīti), even in a flawed character—showing that advice can temporarily redirect action.