Shloka 16

विभीषणोपदेशः

Vibhīṣaṇa’s Counsel to Rāvaṇa and the Rākṣasa Court

Devanagari script

देवान्तकोवापिनरान्तकोवातथातिकायोऽतिरथोमहात्मा ।आकम्पनश्चाद्रिसमानसारःस्थातुंनशक्तायुधिराघवस्य ।।।।

Transliteration

devāntako vāpi narāntako vā tathā ’tikāyo ’tiratho mahātmā | ākampanaś cādri-samāna-sāraḥ sthātuṁ na śaktā yudhi rāghavasya ||

Translation

Ob Devāntaka oder Narāntaka, ob Atikāya, der große Krieger Atiratha, oder gar Ākampana, fest wie ein Berg — keiner von ihnen vermag im Kampf vor Rāghava zu bestehen.

Word by Word

देवान्तकःDevāntaka (slayer of gods; proper name)

वाor

अपिeven / also

नरान्तकःNarāntaka (slayer of men; proper name)

वाor

तथाlikewise / in the same way

अतिकायःAtikāya (the huge-bodied one; proper name)

अतिरथःAtiratha (a great chariot-warrior; proper name/title)

महात्माgreat-souled / mighty

आकम्पनःĀkampana (proper name)

चand

अद्रिसमानसारःwhose strength/essence is like a mountain

स्थातुम्to stand / to withstand

नnot

शक्ताःable / capable

युधिin battle / in war

राघवस्यof Rāghava (Rāma)

Context

"Either by Devanthaka or Naranthaka, in the same way the great soul Athiratha or Akampana, who is of mountainlike size, will not be able to stand against Raghava in war."

Characters & Entities

Rāma (Rāghava)

Devāntaka

Narāntaka

Atikāya

Ākampana

FAQs

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

Dharma warns against obstinacy: persisting in adharma despite repeated evidence of impending defeat leads to collective destruction.

What is the narrative situation?

The speaker underscores that even Laṅkā’s famed champions cannot hold their ground against Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment (viveka) that recognizes reality over factional loyalty.