Shloka 10

विभीषणोपदेशे रावणस्य परुषवाक्यम्

Ravana’s Harsh Reply to Vibhishana’s Counsel

Devanagari script

ततोनेष्टमिदंसौम्ययदहंलोकसत्कृतः ।ऐश्वर्यमभिजातश्चज्ञातीनांमूर्ध्न्यवस्थितः ।।।।

Transliteration

tato neṣṭam idaṃ saumya yad ahaṃ loka-satkṛtaḥ | aiśvaryam abhijātaś ca jñātīnāṃ mūrdhny avasthitaḥ || 6.16.10 ||

Translation

Darum, o Sanfter, kannst du dies nicht ertragen: dass die Welt mich ehrt, dass ich die Herrschaft besitze, edler Herkunft bin und an der Spitze unserer Sippe stehe.

Word by Word

• ततः: therefore/then
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतु/अनुक्रम-अव्यय (therefore/then)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय

• इष्टम्: pleasing/acceptable
• इष्टम्: Kriya (क्रिया/प्रेडिकेट)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इष्ट (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्ताधारित)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; इदम् इति विशेषणम्/प्रेडिकेट

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (pronoun)

• सौम्य: O gentle one
• सौम्य: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• यत्: that/whereas
• यत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सम्बन्ध-अव्यय (relative particle introducing clause)

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (pronoun)

• लोकसत्कृतः: honoured by the people
• लोकसत्कृतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लोक + सत्कृत (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्ताधारित)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः लोकेन सत्कृतः (honoured by people/world)

• ऐश्वर्यम्: sovereignty/power
• ऐश्वर्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऐश्वर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अभिजातः: well-born/nobly born
• अभिजातः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभि + जन् (धातु) + त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• ज्ञातीनाम्: of (my) relatives/clan
• ज्ञातीनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• मूर्ध्नि: on the head/at the top
• मूर्ध्नि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्धन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन (locative: on the head/at the top)

• अवस्थितः: situated/established
• अवस्थितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव + स्था (धातु) + त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अहम् इति विशेषणम्

Context

"Gentle (Vibheeshana) one! Since you belong to the same kinsfolk (as I) you do not like me, who is born of noble descent, attained the position of chief (of clan), is worshipped by the world, and attained sovereignty."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Vibhīṣaṇa

FAQs

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

The verse shows adharma’s psychology: pride interprets truthful criticism as jealousy. Dharma calls for self-examination rather than blaming the well-wisher.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa accuses Vibhīṣaṇa of disliking him out of envy for his status and honor.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Negatively, Rāvaṇa’s insecurity and ego; positively (by implication), Vibhīṣaṇa’s loyalty to truth over courtly approval.