Shloka 22
विभीषणोपदेशः
Vibhīṣaṇa’s Counsel to Rāvaṇa and the Rākṣasa Court
परस्यवीर्यंस्वबलंचबुध्वास्थानंक्षयंचैवतथैववृद्धिम् ।तथास्वपक्षेप्यनुमृश्यबुध्वावदेत् क्षमंस्वामिहितंसमन्त्री ।।।।
parasya vīryaṃ svabalaṃ ca budhvā sthānaṃ kṣayaṃ caiva tathaiva vṛddhim | tathā svapakṣe ’py anumṛśya budhvā vadet kṣamaṃ svāmihitaṃ samantrī ||
Seorang menteri, setelah meneliti keperkasaan musuh dan kekuatan sendiri—serta kedudukan, kemerosotan dan pertumbuhan—dan setelah menimbang pihak sendiri juga, hendaklah menasihati tuannya dengan kata yang wajar dan sungguh membawa manfaat.
Then Vibheeshana, wishing the welfare of the king, intent upon Dharma, artha and kama, thinking rightly and deeply, spoke these words on hearing Prahastha's words that were not good.
FAQs
Dharma in governance: counsel must be reality-based, impartial, and aimed at the ruler’s genuine welfare—not at flattery or factional gain.
At the close of the court debate, the text generalizes a rule of good counsel: weigh strengths, weaknesses, and trajectories before advising the king.
Ministerial integrity and discernment (viveka): speaking what is appropriate and beneficial after careful assessment.