Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 65, Shloka 6
कुम्भकर्णप्रस्थानम्
Kumbhakarna’s Departure for Battle
युद्धेकापुरुषैर्नित्यंभवद्भिःप्रियवादिभि: ।राजानमनुगच्छद्भिःसर्वंकृत्यमोद्धिसादितम् ।।।।
yuddhe kāpuruṣair nityaṃ bhavadbhiḥ priya-vādibhiḥ |
rājānam anugacchadbhiḥ sarvaṃ kṛtyaṃ moddhi sāditam ||
Kalian—yang selalu pengecut di medan perang meski manis bertutur—dengan terus mengikuti raja dan menjilatnya, telah menyeret segala urusan ke dalam kebinasaan ini.
"You, who always fear in combat, are talking pleasingly to the king , going after him happily brought the matter to this state."
FAQs
Dharma in governance requires truthful counsel; flattering speech that hides danger is unethical and can destroy a kingdom’s well-being.
In Laṅkā’s crisis, the king rebukes those around him for cowardice and for pleasing him with sweet words rather than offering honest guidance.
Truthful speech and moral courage in advising leaders—speaking what is right, not what is pleasing.