Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 25

युद्धकाण्डे द्वादशः सर्गः — रावणस्य परिषद्-सम्बोधनं कुम्भकर्णस्य नीत्युपदेशश्च

Ravana’s Council Address and Kumbhakarna’s Counsel

Devanagari script

अदेयाचयथासीतावध्यौदशरथात्मजौ ।भवद्भिर्मन्त्र्यतांमन्त्रस्सुनीतंचाभिधीयताम् ।।6.12.25।।

Transliteration

adeyā ca yathā sītā vadhyau daśarathātmajau |

bhavadbhir mantryatāṃ mantraḥ sunītaṃ cābhidhīyatām ||6.12.25||

Translation

Deliberate, then, on a plan by which Sītā need not be returned, and the sons of Daśaratha may be slain; consider well, and propose to me a strategy that seems sound.

Word by Word

• आदेया: to be taken back
• आदेया: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ + दा (धातु) + आदेय (कृदन्त)
• Form: तव्यत्/अनीयर्-अर्थे कृदन्त (gerundive: to be taken); स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन; विशेषण (Nom singular qualifying सीता)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• यथा: so that
• यथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारार्थक (so that/as)

• सीता: Sita
• सीता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सीता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन (Nom singular)

• वध्यौ: to be killed
• वध्यौ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वध् (धातु) + वध्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: तव्यत्/यत्-अर्थे कृदन्त (fit to be slain); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा द्विवचन; विशेषण (Nom dual qualifying दशरथात्मजौ)

• दशरथात्मजौ: Dasaratha's two sons
• दशरथात्मजौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दशरथ + आत्मज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (दशरथस्य आत्मजौ); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा द्विवचन (Nom dual)

• भवद्भिः: by you (all)
• भवद्भिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया बहुवचन (Instrumental plural: by you all)

• मन्त्र्यताम्: let it be deliberated
• मन्त्र्यताम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मन्त्र् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्; प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; भावे (let it be deliberated/counselled)

• मन्त्रः: counsel; plan
• मन्त्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन (Nom singular)

• सुनीतम्: a good (plan)
• सुनीतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + नीत (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया एकवचन; विशेषण (Acc singular: well-guided/good)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• अभिधीयताम्: let it be proposed
• अभिधीयताम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि + धा (धातु)
• Form: लोट्; प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; भावे (let it be stated/proposed)

Context

"You may also think over and suggest to me a plan to kill Rama and Lakshmana without giving Sita."

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Daśaratha
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

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.

What is the narrative situation?

Facing Rāma’s approach, Rāvaṇa presses his council for a strategy to keep Sītā and destroy Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

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.