Shloka 9

विभीषणोपदेशे रावणस्य परुषवाक्यम्

Ravana’s Harsh Reply to Vibhishana’s Counsel

Devanagari script

विद्यतेगोषुसम्पन्नंविद्यतेब्राह्मणेदमः ।विद्यतेस्त्रीषुचापल्यंविद्यतेज्ञातितोभयम् ।।।।

Transliteration

vidyate goṣu sampannaṃ vidyate brāhmaṇe damaḥ |

vidyate strīṣu cāpalyam vidyate jñātito bhayam ||

Translation

Bei den Rindern ist Reichtum; im Brāhmaṇa ist Selbstzucht; bei den Frauen ist Unbeständigkeit; und von den eigenen Verwandten kommt die Furcht.

Word by Word

• विद्यते: is found/exists
• विद्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद (exists/is found)

• गोषु: among cows
• गोषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• सम्पन्नम्: wealth/prosperity
• सम्पन्नम्: Kriya (क्रिया/प्रेडिकेट)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम्पन्न (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्ताधारित)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (predicate noun)

• विद्यते: is found
• विद्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु)
• Form: लट्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• ब्राह्मणे: in a brahmin
• ब्राह्मणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• दमः: self-control/forbearance
• दमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• विद्यते: is found
• विद्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु)
• Form: लट्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• स्त्रीषु: among women
• स्त्रीषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• चापल्यम्: fickleness/capriciousness
• चापल्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चापल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• विद्यते: is found
• विद्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु)
• Form: लट्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• ज्ञातितः: from relatives
• ज्ञातितः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ज्ञाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb: from/owing to relatives)

• भयम्: fear
• भयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Context

"In the past elephants in the lotus park, uttered some verses on seeing men holding snares in hand. I will relate those that I heard. You may listen."

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• brāhmaṇa
• jñāti (kinsmen)

FAQs

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

The verse presents a moral-psychological observation: knowing characteristic tendencies helps one act wisely and uphold dharma through prudent governance and relationships.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa continues his counsel to Rāvaṇa using proverbial generalizations to stress that danger can arise from within one’s own kin-group.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Practical wisdom (nīti) aligned with satya—stating hard truths for moral correction.