Valmiki Ramayana 6.16.23 — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 23

विभीषणोपदेशे रावणस्य परुषवाक्यम्

Ravana’s Harsh Reply to Vibhishana’s Counsel

Devanagari script

दीप्तपावकसङ्काशैश्शितैःकाञ्चनभूषणैः ।नत्वामिच्छाम्यहंद्रष्टुंरामेणनिहतंशरैः ।।।।

Transliteration

dīptapāvaka-saṅkāśaiḥ śitaiḥ kāñcana-bhūṣaṇaiḥ | na tvām icchāmy ahaṃ draṣṭuṃ rāmeṇa nihataṃ śaraiḥ ||

Translation

لا أريد أن أراك صريعًا بسهام راما الحادّة، وأنت متزيّن بحُليّ الذهب، متلألئًا كالنار المتّقدة.

Word by Word

• dīpta-pāvaka-saṅkāśaiḥ: with (arrows) resembling blazing fire
• dīpta-pāvaka-saṅkāśaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīpta (कृदन्त, √dīp) + pāvaka (प्रातिपदिक) + saṅkāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana; samāsa: dīpta-pāvaka (कर्मधारय) + saṅkāśa (तत्पुरुष: -saṅkāśa = 'like')

• śitaiḥ: sharp
• śitaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Bahuvacana; viśeṣaṇa of śaraiḥ

• kāñcana-bhūṣaṇaiḥ: with golden ornaments (i.e., gold-adorned)
• kāñcana-bhūṣaṇaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāñcana (प्रातिपदिक) + bhūṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी/उपपद-सम्बन्ध): 'golden ornaments'

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: niṣedha-avyaya (negation particle)

• tvām: you
• tvām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana

• icchāmi: I wish
• icchāmi: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √iṣ (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (Present/लट्), Prathama? no: Uttama-puruṣa (1st person/उत्तमपुरुष), Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• aham: I
• aham: Kartā (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana

• draṣṭum: to see
• draṣṭum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Tumun-anta (infinitive/तुमुन्), avyaya-prāya; 'to see'

• rāmeṇa: by Rama
• rāmeṇa: Kartṛ-karaṇa (कर्ता-करण/Agent in passive sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Ekavacana

• nihatam: slain
• nihatam: Karma (कर्म/Object complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ni-√han (धातु)
• Form: Kta-pratyaya (past passive participle/क्त), Napuṃsaka, Dvitīyā (2nd), Ekavacana; agrees with tvām (semantic)

• śaraiḥ: with arrows
• śaraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Bahuvacana

Context

"While the sharp golden arrows of Rama burning like fire strike you, I do not wish to see."

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• Rāma
• arrows (śara)

FAQs

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

Even when opposing adharma, dharma can retain compassion: Vibhīṣaṇa warns not out of hatred, but to prevent needless destruction.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa foresees Rāvaṇa’s death at Rāma’s hands and expresses a reluctant, sorrowful warning.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Benevolence—he remains a well-wisher despite rejection and insult.