Shloka 4

विभीषणागमनम्

Vibhīṣaṇa’s Arrival and the Debate on Refuge

Devanagari script

स च मेघाचलप्रख्यो वज्रायुधसमप्रभः ।वरायुधधरो वीरो दिव्याभरणभूषितः ।।6.17.4।।

Transliteration

sa ca meghācala-prakhyo vajrāyudha-sama-prabhaḥ |

varāyudha-dharo vīro divyābharaṇa-bhūṣitaḥ ||6.17.4||

Translation

Und er (Vibhīṣaṇa) glich einem wolkenbekrönten Berge, strahlend wie der Träger des Donnerkeils; ein tapferer Held, mit erlesenen Waffen versehen und mit göttlichem Schmuck geziert.

Word by Word

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd), Ekavacana

• ātma-pañcamam: as the fifth (one)
• ātma-pañcamam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक) + pañcama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: 'as the fifth (with himself/with four others)'

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Ktvā (absolutive/क्त्वा), avyaya; 'having seen'

• sugrīvaḥ: Sugriva
• sugrīvaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sugrīva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana

• vāhinī-patiḥ: commander of the army
• vāhinī-patiḥ: Kartā (कर्ता/Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāhinī (प्रातिपदिक) + pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: 'lord of the army' (apposition to sugrīvaḥ)

• vānaraiḥ: with the vanaras
• vānaraiḥ: Sahārtha (सह/Accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Bahuvacana

• saha: together with
• saha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Accompaniment marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: sahārtha-avyaya (preposition-like indeclinable)

• durdharṣaḥ: hard to assail
• durdharṣaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dur + dharṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of sugrīvaḥ

• cintayāmāsa: pondered
• cintayāmāsa: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √cint (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (Perfect), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; parasmaipada; intensive/causative-like stem cintay- (denominative)

• buddhimān: wise
• buddhimān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: buddhimant (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of sugrīvaḥ

Context

Vibheeshana looked like a mass of cloud, like someone who can cause thunderbolt, possessing excellent weapons and wonderful jewels.

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Indra (implied by vajrāyudha)

FAQs

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

The verse supports dharmic discernment by presenting Vibhīṣaṇa as dignified and heroic—outer signs that invite consideration—yet later counsel shows that righteousness still requires examination, not mere appearance.

What is the narrative situation?

The text describes Vibhīṣaṇa’s formidable appearance as he approaches, setting the stage for the debate on whether to accept him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vibhīṣaṇa’s vīrya (valor) and royal bearing, suggesting capability and seriousness of intent.