Shloka 6.37.21
लङ्काद्वारव्यूहवर्णनम् / Disposition at the Gates of Lanka
कुबेरंतुयदाराम रावणःप्रत्ययुध्यत ।।।।षष्टिश्शतसहस्राणितदानिर्यान्तिरक्षसाः ।राक्रमेणवीर्येणतेजसासत्त्वगौरवात् ।।।।सदृशाय्येऽत्रदर्पेणरावणस्यदुरात्मनः ।
kuberaṃ tu yadā rāma rāvaṇaḥ pratyayudhyata | ṣaṣṭiḥ śatasahasrāṇi tadā niryānti rakṣasāḥ | parākrameṇa vīryeṇa tejasā sattvagauravāt | sadṛśā hy atra darpeṇa rāvaṇasya durātmanaḥ |
“Rāma, when Rāvaṇa once attacked Kubera, then sixty hundred-thousands of Rākṣasas marched forth—equal to that evil-minded Rāvaṇa in pride, and comparable to him in prowess, strength, radiance, and steadfast hardihood.”
"Rama! Earlier when Ravana launched an offensive battle against Kubera, sixty thousand Rakshasas who were equal to him in valour, brilliance, courage, and with respect sallied forth the proud, the evil minded Ravana."
A dharmic leader must face reality without denial: truthful assessment of an adversary’s strength prevents reckless harm and enables just, proportionate action.
Vibhīṣaṇa warns Rāma about the scale and quality of Rāvaṇa’s forces by citing a past campaign against Kubera.
Prudence and honesty in counsel—Vibhīṣaṇa prioritizes accurate intelligence over flattery.