Shloka 25
युद्धकाण्डे द्वादशः सर्गः — रावणस्य परिषद्-सम्बोधनं कुम्भकर्णस्य नीत्युपदेशश्च
Ravana’s Council Address and Kumbhakarna’s Counsel
अदेयाचयथासीतावध्यौदशरथात्मजौ ।भवद्भिर्मन्त्र्यतांमन्त्रस्सुनीतंचाभिधीयताम् ।।6.12.25।।
adeyā ca yathā sītā vadhyau daśarathātmajau |
bhavadbhir mantryatāṃ mantraḥ sunītaṃ cābhidhīyatām ||6.12.25||
Vậy hãy bàn định mưu kế: sao cho Sītā không phải trao trả, và hai con của Daśaratha có thể bị diệt. Hãy suy xét kỹ càng, rồi dâng lên ta một kế sách vững chắc, hợp đạo.
"You may also think over and suggest to me a plan to kill Rama and Lakshmana without giving Sita."
FAQs
By contrast, the verse illustrates adharma: refusing restitution (returning Sītā) and seeking unjust killing. The Ramayana uses such counsel to show how unrighteous intent corrodes kingship.
Facing Rāma’s approach, Rāvaṇa presses his council for a strategy to keep Sītā and destroy Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa.
The need for righteous counsel (su-nīti) is invoked—ironically—showing how even the language of prudence can be misused when the goal is unethical.