Shloka 6.34.9
सरमायाḥ सीतासान्त्वनम् तथा रावणनिश्चयश्रवणम् (Saarana Consoles Sita and Reports Ravana’s Resolve)
तर्जापयतिमांनित्यंभर्त्सापयतिचासकृत् ।राक्षसीभिस्सुघूराभिर्यामांरक्षन्तिनित्यशः ।।।।
śrutvā tu tad vānarasainyaśabdaṃ laṅkāgatā rākṣasarājabhṛtyāḥ |
naṣṭaujaso dainyarītaceṣṭāḥ śreyo na paśyanti nṛpasya doṣaiḥ ||
Hearing that sound of the vānaras’ army, the rākṣasa-king’s servants within Laṅkā lost their spirit; sinking into despondency, they saw no hopeful outcome, for their ruler’s faults blinded them.
"He, that Ravana makes even the frightful Rakshasa care takers threaten me and reproach me repeatedly every day."
The verse teaches ruler-responsibility: a king’s adharma brings fear and hopelessness upon his own people; leadership must align with dharma for public welfare (śreyas).
The rākṣasas in Laṅkā react to the vānaras’ thunderous advance, losing morale and blaming the grim situation on their king’s misdeeds.
Moral discernment in governance: it underscores the necessity of righteous leadership and the consequences when a ruler lacks it.