Shloka 46

विभीषणागमनम्

Vibhīṣaṇa’s Arrival and the Debate on Refuge

Devanagari script

बद्धवैराच्चपापाच्चराक्षेसेन्द्राद्विभीषणः ।अदेशकालेसम्प्राप्तस्सर्वथाशङ् क्यतामयम् ।।6.17.46।।

Transliteration

baddha-vairāc ca pāpāc ca rākṣasendrād vibhīṣaṇaḥ |

adeśa-kāle samprāptaḥ sarvathā śaṅkyatām ayam ||6.17.46||

Translation

Vibhīṣaṇa ist vom sündhaften Herrn der Rākṣasas gekommen, mit frisch geknüpfter Feindschaft; da er zur Unzeit und am unrechten Ort erschien, ist er in jeder Hinsicht zu verdächtigen.

Word by Word

• baddha-vairāt: from (one) having fixed enmity
• baddha-vairāt: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: baddha-vaira (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन (Singular)

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

• pāpāt: from sin / from a sinful (source)
• pāpāt: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन (Singular)

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

• rākṣasa-indrāt: from the lord of the Rakshasas (Ravana)
• rākṣasa-indrāt: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa-indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन (Singular)

• vibhīṣaṇaḥ: Vibhishana
• vibhīṣaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vibhīṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• adeśa-kāle: at an improper place and time
• adeśa-kāle: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adeśa-kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular); अव्ययीभावार्थे (in the sense of 'at an improper place and time')

• samprāptaḥ: having arrived
• samprāptaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√prāp (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगे (used adjectivally: 'having come')

• sarvathā: in every way
• sarvathā: Visheshana (विशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sarvathā (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• śaṅkyatām: should be suspected
• śaṅkyatām: Vidhi (विधि/imperative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śaṅk (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive), तृतीय-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• ayam: this (person)
• ayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

Context

"Vibheeshana who has conceived bitter hatred towards the sinful Rakshasa king Ravana came without regard for place and time is always to be viewed with suspicion."

Characters & Entities

• Jāmbavān
• Rāma
• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa (rākṣasendra)

FAQs

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

Dharma in wartime leadership demands careful verification: sudden defection and unusual timing can mask untruth; guarding satya requires scrutiny before alliance.

What is the narrative situation?

Jāmbavān adds to the counsel urging caution, noting Vibhīṣaṇa’s connection to Rāvaṇa and the suspicious circumstances of his arrival.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Strategic caution informed by experience—protecting the righteous cause from possible manipulation.