Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 7
विभीषणोपदेशे रावणस्य परुषवाक्यम्
Ravana’s Harsh Reply to Vibhishana’s Counsel
नाग्निर्नान्यानिशस्त्राणिननःपाशाभयावहाः ।घोरास्स्वार्थप्रयुक्तास्तुज्ञातयोनोभयावहाः ।।।।
nāgnir nānyāni śastrāṇi na naḥ pāśā bhayāvahāḥ |
ghorāḥ svārtha-prayuktās tu jñātayo no bhayāvahāḥ ||
火も、ほかの武器も、縄の罠も、われらにとって真に恐るべきものではない。恐るべきは、私利に駆られた身内—その利己ゆえに凄まじい者たちである。
"O Rakshasa! Relatives will insult and disapprove their chief even if he is an accomplished one, a virtuous one or a heroic one and does his duty (as a ruler)."
FAQs
Dharma cautions that inner moral corruption (selfishness) can be more dangerous than external threats; ethical vigilance begins within one’s own circle.
Through a proverb, Vibhīṣaṇa stresses to Rāvaṇa that the greatest danger may come from self-serving insiders, not enemy weapons.
Discernment (viveka) and realism in moral judgment.