Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 17, Shloka 118

विभीषणागमनम्

Vibhīṣaṇa’s Arrival and the Debate on Refuge

Devanagari script

इत्युक्त्वापरुषंवाक्यंरावणंरावणानुजः ।आजगाममुहूर्तेनयत्ररामस्सलक्ष्मणः ।।6.17.1।।

Transliteration

ityuktvā paruṣaṃ vākyaṃ rāvaṇaṃ rāvaṇānujaḥ |

ājagāma muhūrtena yatra rāmas salakṣmaṇaḥ ||

Translation

Having spoken these harsh words to Ravana, his younger brother [Vibhishana] arrived in a moment at the place where Rama was accompanied by Lakshmana.

Word by Word

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण-सूचक

• उक्त्वा: having said
• उक्त्वा: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु) + क्त्वा (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त; पूर्वक्रिया

• परुषम्: harsh
• परुषम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• वाक्यम्: speech
• वाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• रावणम्: Ravana
• रावणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रावण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• रावणानुजः: Ravana's younger brother
• रावणानुजः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रावण (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• आजगाम: came
• आजगाम: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु) उपसर्ग: आ-
• Form: लिट्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• मुहूर्तेन: in a short while
• मुहूर्तेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुहूर्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• यत्र: where
• यत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय

• रामः: Rama
• रामः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सलक्ष्मणः: with Lakshmana
• सलक्ष्मणः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपपद) + लक्ष्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सह-अर्थे; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Context

Vibheeshana, having addressed Ravana in harsh language, reached Rama and Lakshmana in a short while.

Characters & Entities

• Ravana
• Vibhishana
• Rama
• Lakshmana

FAQs

Why is Vibhishana's speech described as 'paruṣaṃ' (harsh)?

Although Vibhishana spoke the truth (Satya), it was perceived as harsh by Ravana because it challenged his ego and unrighteous path. In the context of Dharma, speaking the bitter truth to prevent ruin is an act of tough love, marking the final attempt to correct Adharma before abandoning it.

What is the significance of Vibhishana leaving 'in a moment' (muhūrtena)?

The swiftness of his departure indicates a decisive moral clarity. Once Vibhishana realized that Ravana was committed to Adharma and would not listen to reason, he did not hesitate to seek the refuge of Rama, prioritizing righteousness over blood relations.