Shloka 18

रावण-सारथि-संवादः

Ravana and the Charioteer: Counsel, Omens, and Battlefield Conduct

Devanagari script

देशकालौ च विज्ञेयौलक्षणानीङ्गितानि च ।दैन्यंहर्षश्चखेदश्चरथिनश्चबलाबलम् ।।।।

Transliteration

deśa-kālau ca vijñeyau lakṣaṇānīṅgitāni ca |

dainyaṃ harṣaś ca khedaś ca rathinaś ca balābalam ||

Translation

Man muss Ort und Zeit erkennen, die Zeichen und Omen; die Niedergeschlagenheit, die Erhebung und die Ermattung des Kriegers—und ebenso die Stärke und Schwäche dessen, der auf dem Wagen steht.

Word by Word

• देशकालौ: place and time
• देशकालौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश + काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास; पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय

• विज्ञेयौ: should be known
• विज्ञेयौ: Kriyā (क्रिया) (predicate necessity)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + ज्ञा (धातु) + यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: कर्तव्यतावाचक कृदन्त (gerundive), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; विधेयविशेषणम् (to be known)

• लक्षणानि: signs, marks
• लक्षणानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• इङ्गितानि: gestures, indications/omens
• इङ्गितानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इङ्गित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय

• दैन्यम्: dejection
• दैन्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• हर्षः: joy
• हर्षः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय

• खेदः: distress, sorrow
• खेदः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय

• रथिनः: of the warrior/charioteer
• रथिनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; ‘बलाबलम्’ इत्यस्य सम्बन्धः

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय

• बलाबलम्: strength and weakness
• बलाबलम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल + अबल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (बलं च अबलं च); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Context

"Propitious and unpropitious, time and place, good and evil signs and omens, depression and liveliness of the warrior as well as strength and weakness of the one in the chariot must be ascertained."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Responsible action (dharma in governance/war) requires informed judgment—considering context, signs, and the condition of one’s forces rather than acting from impulse.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa articulates criteria for strategic assessment in battle, emphasizing observation of omens and the combatant’s condition.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence and situational awareness (yukti, avadhāna)—competencies expected in righteous leadership, even if Rāvaṇa applies them self-servingly.