कुम्भकर्णप्रस्थानम्
Kumbhakarna’s Departure for Battle
एवमुक्तवतोवाक्यंकुम्भकर्णस्यधीमतः ।प्रत्युवाचततोवाक्यंप्रहसन्राक्षसाधिपः ।।।।
evam uktavato vākyaṃ kumbhakarṇasya dhīmataḥ | pratyuvāca tato vākyaṃ prahasan rākṣasādhipaḥ ||
ครั้นกุมภกรรณผู้มีปัญญากล่าวดังนี้แล้ว เจ้าแห่งรากษสทั้งหลายก็หัวเราะยิ้ม แล้วจึงตอบถ้อยคำของตน
Wise Kumbhakarna having spoken in that way, the Rakshasa king, Ravana laughed and replied in this way.
The ethics of counsel: a ruler’s response to wise advice is morally significant—whether it is received with seriousness or dismissed with pride.
Kumbhakarṇa has just declared his intention to fight; the narration turns to Rāvaṇa’s immediate reaction and reply.
Kumbhakarṇa’s discernment is highlighted (dhīmat), while Rāvaṇa’s laughing reply foreshadows a potentially pride-tinged leadership posture.