Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 35, Shloka 15
माल्यवानुपदेशः
Malyavan’s Counsel, Portents in Laṅkā, and the Proposal of Alliance
तत्त्वयाचरयालोकान्धर्मोपिविनिहतोमहान् ।।।।अधर्मःप्रगृहीतश्चतेनास्मद्बलिनःपरे ।
tattvayā caratā lokān dharmo 'pi vinihato mahān | adharmaḥ pragṛhītaś ca tenās mad-balinaḥ pare |
Trong khi ngươi rong ruổi khắp các thế giới, ngươi đã gạt bỏ cả dharma vĩ đại và ôm lấy adharma; bởi vậy kẻ thù—đứng về phía chính nghĩa—đã trở nên mạnh hơn chúng ta.
"While you were ranging in all the worlds, you gave up righteousness and embraced unrighteousness. Therefore, the enemy who is righteous is stronger than you."
FAQs
Power ultimately follows dharma: abandoning righteousness weakens one’s cause from within, while the righteous gain strength and legitimacy.
The advisor attributes the strategic disadvantage of Laṅkā’s side to Rāvaṇa’s sustained commitment to adharma.
Accountability in governance—recognizing that a ruler’s personal conduct determines collective fate.