Shloka 3
महापार्श्वस्य परामर्शः
Mahāpārśva’s Counsel and Rāvaṇa’s Confession of Brahmā’s Curse
ईश्वरस्येश्वरःकोऽस्तितवशत्रुनिबर्हण: ।रमस्वसहवैदेह्याशत्रूनाक्रम्यमूर्धसु ।।।।
īśvarasyêśvaraḥ ko ’sti tava śatrunibarhaṇaḥ |
ramasva saha vaidehyā śatrūn ākramya mūrdhasu ||
“ഹേ ശത്രുനാശകാ! നിനക്കുപോലൊരു ഈശ്വരന്റെ മേൽ മറ്റൊരു ഈശ്വരൻ ആരുണ്ടാകും? ശത്രുക്കളുടെ തലമേൽ കാൽവെച്ച് അവരെ ചവിട്ടിത്താഴ്ത്തി, വൈദേഹി (സീത)യോടൊപ്പം വിഹരിക്ക.”
"O Destroyer of foes! Who is there to question Lord since you are Lord? Setting your foot on the head of enemy you may sport with Sita."
FAQs
The verse illustrates adharma: the misuse of power and the reduction of righteousness to domination and sensual indulgence. Dharma in the Ramayana rejects coercion and arrogance, especially toward the innocent.
In Laṅkā, Rāvaṇa’s counselors urge him to ignore restraint and to act violently and possessively toward Sītā, claiming his sovereignty places him beyond challenge.
By contrast (implicitly), the Ramayana’s ideal virtue is self-restraint (dama) and respect for dharma; this counsel highlights the absence of those virtues in Rāvaṇa’s camp.