Shloka 2
माल्यवानुपदेशः—रावणक्रोधः तथा लङ्काद्वाररक्षा-व्यवस्था
Malyavan’s Counsel, Ravana’s Anger, and the Fortification of Lanka
नबद् ध्वाभ्रुकुटींवक्त्रेक्रोधस्यवशमागतः ।अमर्षात्परिवृत्ताक्षोमाल्यवन्तमथाब्रवीत् ।।।।
na baddhvā bhru-kuṭīṃ vaktre krodhasya vaśam āgataḥ |
amarṣāt parivṛttākṣo mālyavantam athābravīt ||
Sous l’emprise de la colère, les sourcils froncés et les yeux roulant d’impatience, Rāvaṇa s’adressa alors à Mālyavān.
"I would break my head into two also but not bend my head to anyone. It is my weakness. It is hard to overcome nature."
FAQs
It warns that anger (krodha) overwhelms discernment; dharma requires self-mastery before speech and action, especially for rulers.
As the crisis with Rāma approaches, Rāvaṇa—agitated—turns to speak to the elder counselor Mālyavān.
By contrast, the virtue implied is restraint (dama) and measured counsel—qualities expected in governance and debate.