Shloka 18
दूतधर्म-परामर्शः
Envoy-Immunity and Royal Counsel in Ravana’s Court
शूरेण वीरेण निशाचरेन्द्र सुरासुराणामपि दुर्जयेन।त्वया प्रगल्भाः सुरदैत्यसङ्घा जिताश्च युद्धेष्वसकृन्नरेन्द्राः।।।।
śūreṇa vīreṇa niśācarendra surāsurāṇām api durjayena | tvayā pragalbhāḥ suradaitya-saṅghā jitāś ca yuddheṣv asakṛn narendrāḥ ||
Hỡi chúa tể loài rākṣasa! Bởi ngài—dũng mãnh, anh hùng, khó bề khuất phục ngay cả với deva và asura—các đạo quân deva và daitya gan dạ, cùng bao bậc quân vương, đã nhiều phen bại trận trong chiến chinh.
"You are the king of demons. Hosts of gods and daityas efficient in wars are conquered by you again and again since you are a brave warrior invincible to gods and demons.
FAQs
Dharma here is implied through restraint: one who is truly powerful need not prove strength through an unrighteous act like killing a messenger; might should serve right conduct, not override it.
Vibhīṣaṇa continues addressing Rāvaṇa in the assembly, building rhetorical momentum by recalling Rāvaṇa’s past victories to dissuade him from a dishonorable decision.
Strategic wisdom in speech—Vibhīṣaṇa uses praise (stuti) as a tool to guide a superior toward a dharmic choice.