Shloka 16
माल्यवानुपदेशः—रावणक्रोधः तथा लङ्काद्वाररक्षा-व्यवस्था
Malyavan’s Counsel, Ravana’s Anger, and the Fortification of Lanka
रावणस्तुसहामात्योमन्त्रयित्वाविमृश्यच ।लङ्कायामतुलांगुप्तिंकारयामासराक्षसः ।।।।
rāvaṇas tu sahāmātyo mantrayitvā vimṛśya ca |
laṅkāyām atulāṃ guptiṃ kārayāmāsa rākṣasaḥ ||
Kemudian Rāvaṇa, bersama para menterinya, setelah bermusyawarah dan menimbang dengan teliti, memerintahkan agar pertahanan yang tiada bandingan didirikan di Laṅkā.
Ravana posted Prahastha surrounded by many Rakshasas at the east gate, and the Rakshasas of great prowess, Mahaparsva and Mahodara at the southern gate, and like that Mahamaya and Indrajith, his own son at the western gate.
FAQs
It reflects rajadharma as administrative duty—consultation and protection of the city—though the broader war stems from adharma, showing how competence can coexist with moral failure.
After the council episode, Rāvaṇa shifts to practical action: organizing Laṅkā’s security.
Strategic diligence and organization (though ethically compromised by the cause he defends).