Shloka 6.35.15
माल्यवानुपदेशः — Malyavan’s Counsel, Portents in Laṅkā, and the Proposal of Alliance
तत्त्वयाचरयालोकान्धर्मोपिविनिहतोमहान् ।।।।अधर्मःप्रगृहीतश्चतेनास्मद्बलिनःपरे ।
tattvayā caratā lokān dharmo 'pi vinihato mahān | adharmaḥ pragṛhītaś ca tenās mad-balinaḥ pare |
As you ranged through the worlds, you cast aside even great dharma and embraced adharma; therefore the foes—standing with righteousness—have become stronger than we.
"While you were ranging in all the worlds, you gave up righteousness and embraced unrighteousness. Therefore, the enemy who is righteous is stronger than you."
Power ultimately follows dharma: abandoning righteousness weakens one’s cause from within, while the righteous gain strength and legitimacy.
The advisor attributes the strategic disadvantage of Laṅkā’s side to Rāvaṇa’s sustained commitment to adharma.
Accountability in governance—recognizing that a ruler’s personal conduct determines collective fate.