Shloka 6.72.14
अतिकायवधश्रवणं रावणस्य लङ्कारक्षाविधानम् (Ravana’s Reaction to Atikaya’s Death and the Fortification Orders for Lanka)
प्रदोषेवार्धरात्रेवाप्रत्यूषेवापिसर्वत ।।।।नावज्ञातेषुकर्तव्यावानरेषुकदाचन ।द्विषतांबलमुद्युक्तमापतकतिंस्थितंसदा ।।।।
pradoṣe vārdharātre vā pratyuṣe vāpi sarvataḥ | nāvajñā teṣu kartavyā vānar eṣu kadācana || dviṣatāṃ balam udyuktaṃ āpatatiṃ sthitaṃ sadā ||
Whether at dusk, at midnight, or at dawn—at all times and on every side—there must never be any complacency regarding the Vānaras. Let the hostile army remain ever ready, whether holding position or moving out to meet an advance.
" At all times, whether it is evening or midnight or early morning, Vanaras movements are to be watched by the army without indifference. Indeed, the army should be active or inactive, standing, advancing constantly and staying wherever they are."
A key dharmic lesson is apramāda (non-negligence): duty requires steady alertness across changing times and conditions.
Rāvaṇa instructs his forces that surveillance and readiness must be maintained continuously—dusk, midnight, and dawn—so the Vānaras cannot exploit a lapse.
Readiness and constancy—remaining prepared without underestimating the opponent.