Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 17, Shloka 10

विभीषणागमनम्

Vibhīṣaṇa’s Arrival and the Debate on Refuge

Devanagari script

तेषासम्भाषमाणानामन्योन्यंसविभीषणः ।उत्तरंतीरमासाद्यखस्थएवव्यतिष्ठत ।।6.17.10।।

Transliteration

teṣāṁ sambhāṣamāṇānām anyonyaṁ sa-vibhīṣaṇaḥ | uttaraṁ tīram āsādya kha-stha eva vyatiṣṭhata ||

Translation

While they were conversing with one another, Vibhīṣaṇa, having reached the northern shore, remained stationed in the sky.

Word by Word

• तेषाम्: of them
• तेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• सम्भाषमाणानाम्: while (they were) conversing
• सम्भाषमाणानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-भाष् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ/शानच्-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त (present participle, आत्मनेपद-प्राय), षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘conversing’

• अन्योन्यम्: with one another
• अन्योन्यम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्योन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययभावे द्वितीया-एकवचन (reciprocal adverb)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• विभीषणः: Vibhishana
• विभीषणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विभीषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• उत्तरम्: northern
• उत्तरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (तीरम्)

• तीरम्: shore/bank
• तीरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• आसाद्य: having reached
• आसाद्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ- सद् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive), उपसर्ग: आ-; धातु: सद् (having reached/approached)

• खस्थः: standing in the sky
• खस्थः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: खस्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (ख + स्थ = in the sky); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (विभीषणः)

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण-निपात (emphasis/only)

• व्यतिष्ठत: stood/stayed
• व्यतिष्ठत: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-स्था (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; उपसर्ग: वि-

Context

As they (Vanaras) started conversing, Vibheeshana, having reached the northern shore, stayed in the sky.

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• uttara-tīra (northern shore)
• Vānara forces (implied by 'they conversed')

FAQs

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

Dharma includes restraint and non-aggression: Vibhīṣaṇa pauses at a distance, allowing proper inquiry and orderly reception rather than forcing entry.

What is the narrative situation?

As the Vānara hosts discuss among themselves, Vibhīṣaṇa reaches the northern shore near Rāma’s camp and waits in the air, signaling both power and caution.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-control and respectful approach: he presents himself without immediate hostility, awaiting recognition and permission.