Shloka 3.33.23

शूर्पणखाया रावणं प्रति नीत्युपदेशः (Surpanakha’s Political Admonition to Ravana)

Devanagari script

परावमन्ता विषयेषु सङ्गतो न देशकालप्रविभागतत्ववित्।अयुक्तबुद्धिर्गुणदोषनिश्चये विपन्नराज्यो नचिराद्विपत्स्यसे।।।।

Transliteration

ye na rakṣanti viṣayam asvādhīnā narādhipāḥ | te na vṛddhyā prakāśante girayaḥ sāgare yathā ||

Translation

Kings who lack self-mastery and do not protect their realm do not shine with prosperity—like mountains submerged in the sea that cannot stand forth in brilliance.

Context

A king who accuses others, who is addicted to sensual pleasures, who lacks a sense of judgement of place and time, a sense of discrimination between virtue and vice and the right wisdom will destroy himself and the kingdom in no time.

Characters & Entities

• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Rāvaṇa
• viṣaya (realm/territory)

FAQs

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

Protection of the realm is a primary duty of kingship; without self-control, that duty fails and prosperity cannot manifest.

What is the narrative situation?

Continuing her rebuke, Śūrpaṇakhā frames Rāvaṇa’s lack of restraint as a direct cause of weak protection and decline.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-mastery (svādīnatā) as the foundation for safeguarding subjects and territory.