Valmiki Ramayana 6.64.4 — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 64, Shloka 4

महोदर-वाक्यं कुम्भकर्ण-प्रतिषेधः

Mahodara’s Counsel and the Critique of Kumbhakarna’s Solo Assault

Devanagari script

स्थानंवृद्धिं च हानि च देशकालविभागवित् ।आत्मनश्चपरेषां च बुध्यतेराक्षसर्षभः ।।।।

Transliteration

sthānaṃ vṛddhiṃ ca hāniṃ ca deśakālavibhāgavit |

ātmanaśca pareṣāṃ ca budhyate rākṣasarṣabhaḥ ||

Translation

Jener Stier unter den Rākṣasas, Rāvaṇa, kundig in den Unterschieden von Zeit und Ort, erkennt Bestand, Wachstum und Niedergang sowohl seiner selbst als auch seiner Feinde.

Word by Word

• स्थानम्: position/state
• स्थानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• वृद्धिम्: increase/prosperity
• वृद्धिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• हानिम्: loss/decline
• हानिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हानि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• देशकालविभागवित्: knower of distinctions of place and time
• देशकालविभागवित्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देश-काल-विभाग-वित् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (देशकालयोः विभागं वेत्ति)

• आत्मनः: of himself
• आत्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• परेषाम्: of others (enemies)
• परेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; ‘of others/enemies’

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• बुध्यते: understands/knows
• बुध्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: बुध् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• राक्षसर्षभः: the bull among Rakshasas
• राक्षसर्षभः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस-ऋषभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (राक्षसानाम् ऋषभः)

Context

"Ravana, a bull among Rakshasas is conversant with rules of time and place and knows his own enemies, his progress and decline also."

Characters & Entities

• Ravana
• Rakshasas

FAQs

What are the three states of political existence mentioned in this verse?

The verse mentions 'Sthana' (Stability or Stagnation), 'Vriddhi' (Growth or Prosperity), and 'Hani' (Decline or Loss). A wise king must monitor these states constantly.

How does this verse reflect the importance of 'Desha' and 'Kala' in Dharma?

It highlights that righteousness and political success depend on context. Understanding 'Desha' (Place) and 'Kala' (Time) is essential for applying Dharma correctly in statecraft.