Shloka 6.35.9

माल्यवानुपदेशः — Malyavan’s Counsel, Portents in Laṅkā, and the Proposal of Alliance

Devanagari script

हीयमानेनकर्तव्योराज्ञासन्धिस्समेवच ।।।।नशत्रुमवमन्येतज्यायान्कुर्वीतविग्रहम् ।

Transliteration

idaṃ vacas tatra niśamya mālyavān parīkṣya rakṣodhipater manaḥ punaḥ |

anuttameṣūttamapauruṣo balī babhūva tūṣṇīṃ samavekṣya rāvaṇam ||

Translation

Having spoken thus, mighty Mālyavān—foremost in counsel among the eminent—again examined the rākṣasa-lord’s mind; and seeing Rāvaṇa, he fell silent.

Context

"When a king is losing strength, he should join hand s with the enemy who is equal to him. He should not disrespect the enemy but quit his hostility and join him (if the enemy is more powerful)."

Characters & Entities

• Mālyavān
• Rāvaṇa
• lord of rākṣasas (rakṣodhipati)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Even the best counsel has limits when a ruler’s mind is captured by adharma; dharma also includes recognizing when advice is being rejected and avoiding futile escalation.

What is the narrative situation?

After advising peace, Mālyavān observes that Rāvaṇa is inwardly unreceptive; realizing this, he stops speaking.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment and restraint in speech—knowing when silence is wiser than further argument.