Shloka 5.52.25

दूतधर्म-परामर्शः (Envoy-Immunity and Royal Counsel in Ravana’s Court)

Devanagari script

हिताश्च शूराश्च समाहिताश्च कुलेषु जाताश्च महागुणेषु।मनस्विनश्शस्त्रभृतां वरिष्ठाः कोट्यग्रतस्ते सुभृताश्च योधाः।।।।

Transliteration

hitāś ca śūrāś ca samāhitāś ca kuleṣu jātāś ca mahāguṇeṣu | manasvinaḥ śastrabhṛtāṁ variṣṭhāḥ koṭy-agratās te subhṛtāś ca yodhāḥ ||

Translation

Before you stand warriors in crores—well-wishers and heroes, disciplined and steady, born in noble lineages rich in virtues; high-spirited, foremost among weapon-bearers, and well-provisioned fighters.

Context

"You have with you well-wishers, courageous ones, who have good qualities born in a good race, who are noble, sensible people, wielders of weapons and well-paid warriors in crores.

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• yodhāḥ (warriors/rākṣasa troops)

FAQs

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

A ruler’s dharma includes proper delegation and measured response: with ample forces and resources, one should avoid unlawful shortcuts and act through appropriate, organized means.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa underscores that Rāvaṇa has vast military support, implying there is no need to commit an adharma act (killing an envoy) out of insecurity or anger.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Composed leadership as an ideal—Vibhīṣaṇa points to disciplined strength as the proper basis for royal action.