Shloka 17
विभीषणोपदेशः
Vibhishana’s Counsel to Ravana and the Catalogue of Omens
गवांसयांसिस्कन्नानिविमदावीरकुञ्जराः ।दीनमश्वाःप्रहेषन्तेनचग्रासाभिनन्दिनः ।।।।
gavāṃ payāṃsi skannāni vimadā vīrakuñjarāḥ | dīnam aśvāḥ praheṣante na ca grāsābhinandinaḥ ||
Secou o leite das vacas; os orgulhosos elefantes de guerra perderam o seu cio; os cavalos relincham com tristeza e já não se alegram nem com a própria forragem.
"The udder of cows is dried up, the proud elephants have lost their ichor, the horses are pathetic and neighing. They are not even interested in fodder."
FAQs
A ruler’s adharma harms the whole realm: even animals and prosperity decline, indicating that governance must align with righteousness.
Vibhīṣaṇa points to failing vitality in livestock and war-animals as a sign of Laṅkā’s impending calamity.
Compassionate realism: he highlights suffering across the kingdom to urge corrective action.