Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 12
दूत-नीति, शुक-प्रसङ्गः
Envoy-Ethics and the Episode of Śuka
नहीयंहरिभिर्लङ्काशक्याप्राप्तुंकथञ्चन ।देवैरपिसगन्धर्वैःकिंपुनर्नरवानरैः ।।।।
na hīyaṃ haribhir laṅkā śakyā prāptuṃ kathañcana | devair api sa-gandharvaiḥ kiṃ punar nara-vānaraiḥ ||
Esta Laṅkā não pode ser alcançada pelos vānaras de modo algum; nem mesmo pelos deuses juntamente com os gandharvas — quanto menos, então, por homens e vānaras.
"It is not possible for Vanaras to get here even for Gandharvas or Devas also. What to say of humans and Vanaras? (You may tell this to Sugriva)."
FAQs
The verse warns against pride opposed to satya: adharma often relies on intimidation and exaggeration, while dharma requires courage grounded in truth.
As part of Rāvaṇa’s message, Laṅkā’s supposed invincibility is asserted to discourage Sugrīva and fracture the coalition.
Fearlessness and steadiness are implicitly called for—resisting threats and maintaining commitment to the righteous objective.