Shloka 19
विभीषणोपदेशः
Vibhishana’s Counsel to Ravana
विनश्येद्धिपुरीलङ्काशूरास्सर्वेचराक्षसाः ।रामस्यदयितापत्नीनस्वयंनयदिदीयते ।।।।
vinaśyed dhi purī laṅkā śūrāḥ sarve ca rākṣasāḥ | rāmasya dayitā patnī na svayaṃ na yadi dīyate ||
Jika isteri tercinta Rāma tidak dipulangkan dengan kerelaanmu sendiri, maka kota Lanka pasti binasa—bersama semua rākṣasa, bahkan yang gagah perkasa.
"If Rama's dear wife is not given, this Lanka will be destroyed and also all Rakshasas."
FAQs
Dharma here is the duty to restore what has been unrighteously taken—especially another man’s wife. Refusal to correct adharma leads to collective ruin, not merely personal loss.
Vibhīṣaṇa warns Rāvaṇa that if Sītā is not returned willingly, Rāma’s campaign will destroy Laṅkā and the rākṣasa forces.
Vibhīṣaṇa’s virtue of truthful, welfare-oriented counsel (hita-vacana) is emphasized—speaking hard truths to avert catastrophe.