Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 7
विभीषणोपदेशः
Vibhishana’s Counsel to Ravana
तान्गृहीतायुधान् सर्वान्वारयित्वाविभीषणः ।अब्रवीत्प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यंपुनःप्रत्युपवेश्यतान् ।।।।
tān gṛhītāyudhān sarvān vārayitvā vibhīṣaṇaḥ |
abravīt prāñjalir vākyaṃ punaḥ pratyupaveśyatān ||
तान् सर्वान् गृहीतायुधान् विभीषणो वारयित्वा पुनः प्रत्युपवेश्य । प्राञ्जलिः सन् रावणं प्रति हितं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥
With folded hands, Vibheeshana made all the (Rakshasas) wielding arms to stop and sit and addressed these words to Ravana.
FAQs
Dharma here emphasizes restraint and orderly counsel: before violence, a wise person first calms the situation and speaks with humility, prioritizing reason over rage.
In Rāvaṇa’s assembly, armed rākṣasas are ready to act; Vibhīṣaṇa stops them, restores composure, and prepares to advise Rāvaṇa.
Vibhīṣaṇa’s humility and courage in counsel—he combines respectful demeanor (folded palms) with the moral firmness to prevent rash action.