Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 2
विभीषणोपदेशे रावणस्य परुषवाक्यम्
Ravana’s Harsh Reply to Vibhishana’s Counsel
वसेत्सहसपत्नेनक्रुद्धेऽनाशीविषेणवा ।नतुमित्रप्रवादेनसंवसेच्छत्रुसेविना ।।।।
vaset saha sapatnena kruddhe ’nāśīviṣeṇa vā | na tu mitra-pravādena saṃvasec chatru-sevinā ||
Thà sống cùng kẻ đối địch đã rõ, hoặc cùng rắn độc đang giận dữ; chứ không nên chung sống với kẻ miệng xưng bạn hữu mà lại phụng sự kẻ thù của mình.
"O Night ranger (Vibheeshana)! If any other one had spoken such words, I would not let him live this moment and also destroy. Fie upon you."
FAQs
True friendship is measured by loyalty and right intention; professed friendship that secretly serves an enemy is adharma and more dangerous than open hostility.
In Laṅkā’s royal assembly, Vibhīṣaṇa warns Rāvaṇa about the danger of false allies and the need to discern genuine friendship.
Discernment and truthful counsel—Vibhīṣaṇa speaks unpleasant but beneficial truth for the king’s welfare.