Shloka 3.33.9

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

Devanagari script

येषां चारश्च कोशश्च नयश्च जयतां वर।अस्वाधीना नरेन्द्राणां प्राकृतैस्ते जनैस्समाः।।।।

Transliteration

yeṣāṃ cāraś ca kośaś ca nayaś ca jayatāṃ vara | asvādhīnā narendrāṇāṃ prākṛtais te janaḥ samāḥ ||

Translation

O best among the victorious: those kings who do not keep under control their intelligence network, treasury, and governance are no different from ordinary people.

Context

The best among the victorious kings, who are not masters of their espionage, judicial system and their exchequer are equal to the laity.

Characters & Entities

• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

A ruler’s dharma includes disciplined stewardship of state instruments—intelligence, finances, and governance—so that power serves order rather than chaos.

What is the narrative situation?

Śūrpaṇakhā continues advising Rāvaṇa on kingship, arguing that failure to manage key institutions makes a king ineffective.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Administrative self-mastery and responsible statecraft (naya) as markers of true kingship.