Shloka 6.11.18

रावणस्य सभाप्रवेशः (Ravana Enters the Royal Assembly and Summons Counsel)

Devanagari script

तत: शशासेश्वरवद्दूतान्लघुपराक्रमान् ।समानयतमेक्षिप्रमिहैतान्राक्षसानिति ।।कृत्यमस्तिमहज्जानेकर्तव्यमितिशत्रुभिः ।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ śaśāseśvaravad dūtān laghuparākramān | samānayata me kṣipram ihaitān rākṣasān iti || kṛtyam asti mahaj jāne kartavyam iti śatrubhiḥ ||

Translation

Then, like a sovereign, he commanded swift-footed messengers: “Bring those rākṣasas here to me at once. Know that a great task must be carried out against the enemy.”

Context

Then that Lord like Ravana said "We have to do a great task against the enemies now. It has to be performed." He commanded quick footed messengers to get the Rakshasas to him at once.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Dūtas (messengers)
• Rākṣasas
• Enemies of Laṅkā (Rāma’s forces, implied)

FAQs

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

Duty framed as decisive action: leadership requires clarity and timely mobilization; dharma further demands that the “task” itself be just and truthful (satya-aligned).

What is the narrative situation?

Seated in court, Rāvaṇa orders messengers to urgently assemble the rākṣasa forces/council for action against the opposing army.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Command and urgency in leadership—effective organization, though morally judged by the ends it serves.