Doha 16b

Rāvaṇa laughed when he heard the words of his wife. “Oh, how mighty is the power of infatuation! They rightly observe in regard to the character of a woman that the following eight drawbacks ever abide in her heart: (1) “Recklessness, mendacity, fickleness, deceit, timidity, indiscretion, impurity and callousness. You have harped on the enemy’s cosmic form and thus related to me a most alarming scenario. (2) “But all that (whatever is comprised in that cosmic form), my beloved, is naturally under my control; it is by your grace that this has become clear to me now. I have come to know your ingenuity, my dear; for in this way you have related my own greatness. (3) “Your words, O fawn-eyed lady, are profound: they afford delight when understood and dispel all fear even when heard.” Mandodarī was now convinced at heart that her husband’s impending death had deluded him. (4)

While Rāvaṇa was laughing and joking in diverse ways, as mentioned above, the day broke and the king of Laṅkā, who was intrepid by nature and further blinded by pride, entered the court. (16 A) The reed neither blossoms nor bears fruit even though the clouds may rain nectar-like water on it. Similarly, the light of wisdom would never dawn on a fool even though he may have a teacher like Brahmā. (16 B)