Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 10, 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 ||
गवां सयानि स्कन्नानि विमदा वीरकुञ्जराः। दीनमश्वाः प्रहेषन्ते न च ग्रासाभिनन्दिनः॥
"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.