Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 35, Shloka 6

माल्यवानुपदेशः

Malyavan’s Counsel, Portents in Laṅkā, and the Proposal of Alliance

Devanagari script

ततस्तुसुमहाप्राज्ञोमाल्यवान्नामराक्षसः ।।।।रावणस्यवचश्श्रुत्वामातुःपैतामहोऽब्रवीत् ।

Transliteration

tatastu sumahāprājño mālyavān nāma rākṣasaḥ |

rāvaṇasya vacaḥ śrutvā mātuḥ paitāmaho'bravīt ||

Translation

ثم إنّ الراكشسا بالغ الحكمة، المسمّى ماليَفان—جدّ رافانا من جهة الأم—لمّا سمع كلام رافانا، تكلّم مجيبًا.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverb): 'then/thereafter'

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle/conjunction): contrast/emphasis 'but/indeed'

• su-mahā-prājñaḥ: very wise
• su-mahā-prājñaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (अव्यय) + mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + prājña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• mālyavān: Mālyavān
• mālyavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mālyavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; व्यक्तिवाचक-नाम (proper noun)

• nāma: by name
• nāma: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nāma (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle): 'by name/indeed'

• rākṣasaḥ: a rākṣasa (demon)
• rākṣasaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; जातिवाचक

• rāvaṇasya: of Rāvaṇa
• rāvaṇasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• vacaḥ: words/speech
• vacaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; 'having heard'

• mātuḥ: of (his) mother
• mātuḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• paitāmahaḥ: (the) grandfather
• paitāmahaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paitāmaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; 'maternal grandfather' (contextual)

• abravīt: said/spoke
• abravīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

Context

"You have told me about the valour of Hanuman the messenger of Rama and his prowess in crossing the ocean which I heard just now."

Characters & Entities

• Mālyavān
• Rāvaṇa
• rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Dharma values wise counsel within kinship and governance: elders and experienced advisers are to be heard, especially at moments of crisis.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration introduces Mālyavān formally and marks the transition into his advice to Rāvaṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Wisdom and seniority in counsel—an elder stepping forward to guide a ruler.