Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 8
विभीषणोपदेशे रावणस्य परुषवाक्यम्
Ravana’s Harsh Reply to Vibhishana’s Counsel
उपायमेतेवक्ष्यन्तिग्रहणेनात्रसंशयः ।कृत्स्नाद्भयाद् ज्ञातिभयंसुकष्टंविदितंचन ।।।।
upāyam ete vakṣyanti grahaṇenātra saṃśayaḥ |
kṛtsnād bhayād jñāti-bhayaṃ su-kaṣṭaṃ viditaṃ ca naḥ ||
Walang pag-aalinlangan: ituturo nila ang mga paraan upang kami’y dakpin. Sa lahat ng takot, ang takot na nagmumula sa sariling kamag-anak ang pinakamabigat at pinakamasakit—batid na batid namin ito.
"Pretending to be friendly forever the relatives rejoice in them is fortunes of their relatives. They create terrible fear like desperadoes and covertly ones."
FAQs
Dharma underscores integrity in relationships; betrayal by insiders is uniquely destructive, so one must cultivate loyalty and righteousness within the family and state.
Vibhīṣaṇa argues that internal betrayal and selfish counsel are more perilous than open enemies, urging Rāvaṇa to abandon adharma.
Protective wisdom: anticipating harm and steering a leader toward right conduct.