Shloka 4

रावणस्यात्मप्रशंसा लङ्कावर्णनं च

Ravana’s Self-Praise and the Description of Lanka

Devanagari script

येन वैश्रवणो राजा द्वैमात्रः कारणान्तरे।द्वन्द्वमासादितः क्रोधाद्रणे विक्रम्य निर्जितः।।।।

Transliteration

yena vaiśravaṇo rājā dvaimātraḥ kāraṇāntare |

dvandvam āsāditaḥ krodhād raṇe vikramya nirjitaḥ ||

Translation

Er behauptet, aus einem anderen Anlass habe er König Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera), seinen Halbbruder von anderer Mutter, zum Zweikampf gestellt und ihn im Zorn durch kriegerische Tapferkeit im Gefecht besiegt.

Word by Word

• yēna: by whom
• yēna: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular

• vaiśravaṇaḥ: Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera)
• vaiśravaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaiśravaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• rājā: king
• rājā: Apposition (समनाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• dvaimātraḥ: (his) stepbrother / of a different mother
• dvaimātraḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dvi + mātrā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa; Masculine, Nominative, Singular; 'having two mothers' / 'of a stepmother' (contextual epithet)

• kāraṇa-antarē: on another pretext/for another reason
• kāraṇa-antarē: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/निमित्त)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāraṇa + antara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa; Neuter, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular; adverbial 'on another pretext'

• dvandvam: duel, combat
• dvandvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvandva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular

• āsāditaḥ: was drawn into/engaged in
• āsāditaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया/भाव)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + sad (धातु) → āsādita (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; predicate of 'vaiśravaṇaḥ' = 'was brought into/engaged in'

• krōdhāt: out of anger
• krōdhāt: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: krōdha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Ablative (पञ्चमी/5), Singular

• raṇē: in battle
• raṇē: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/स्थान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular

• vikramya: having displayed valor
• vikramya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi + kram (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/gerund (ल्यप्), indeclinable verbal; 'having exerted prowess/stridden forth'

• nirjitaḥ: was defeated
• nirjitaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया/भाव)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir + ji (धातु) → nirjita (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; predicate of 'vaiśravaṇaḥ'

Context

Why do you wish to do something inauspicious by calling Lord Kubera who is worshipped by all beings your brother ?

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera)

FAQs

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

It warns against boasting of aggression and anger-driven conflict; Dharma restrains krodha (anger) and rejects glory built on injustice.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa tries to impress and intimidate Sītā by recounting his victory over Kubera.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s discernment is implied—she evaluates power through righteousness, not mere conquest.