Shloka 6.35.19
माल्यवानुपदेशः — Malyavan’s Counsel, Portents in Laṅkā, and the Proposal of Alliance
तेषांप्रभावोदुर्धर्षःप्रदीप्तइवपावकः ।।6.35.18।।तपसाभावितात्मानोधर्मस्यानुग्रहेरताः ।मुख्यर्यज्ञैर्यजन्त्येतेनित्यंतैस्सैर्द्विजातयः ।।6.35.19।।जुह्वत्यनगींश्चविधिवद्वेदांश्चोच्चैरधीयते ।अभिभूयचरक्षांसिब्रह्मघोषानुदैरयन् ।।6.35.20।।दिशोऽपिविद्रुतास्सर्वेस्तनयित्नुरिवोष्णगे ।
taṃ ninādaṃ niśamyātha rāvaṇo rākṣaseśvaraḥ |
muhūrtaṃ dhyānam āsthāya sacivān abhyudaikṣata ||
Hearing that uproar, Rāvaṇa—the lord of the rākṣasas—paused for a moment in reflection, and then looked toward his ministers.
"Their power is difficult to overcome as they are pure souls and blazing like fire by their austerity. They follow virtues faithfully intending to acquire merit like brahmanas. They are standing firmly curbing their senses doing sacrifices offering oblations into sacrificial fires following tradition. Having subdued the Rakshasas, they are continuing to recite Vedas and on hearing Vedas the Rakshasas are running away in different directions like the rain cloud is scattered in the hot season."
It highlights deliberation (manana) before action—an aspect of righteous governance: a ruler should pause, reflect, and consult rather than react impulsively.
An ominous or alarming sound is heard, and Rāvaṇa momentarily reflects before turning to his ministers, setting up counsel and response.
Strategic restraint and consultation—though Rāvaṇa’s later choices may be adharma, the verse depicts a moment of measured consideration.