Shloka 6.11.8

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

Devanagari script

गदापरिघहस्ताश्चशक्तितोमरपाणयः ।परश्वथधराश्चान्येतथाऽन्येशूलपाणयः ।।।।

Transliteration

na cukruśur nānṛtam āha kaścit sabhāpado nāpi jajalpur uccaiḥ |

saṃsiddhārthāḥ sarva evogravīryā bhartuḥ sarve dadṛśuś cānanaṃ te ||

Translation

The courtiers raised no clamor; none spoke falsehood, nor did they speak loudly. All were competent and fierce in valor, and they all fixed their gaze upon their lord’s face.

Context

Some holding maces and iron bars, some holding strong iron clubs in hand, and some others holding battle axes, tridents and other weapons went.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa (implied as bhartṛ/lord)
• sabhāpadaḥ (courtiers/assembly members)
• sabhā (assembly, implied)

FAQs

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

Ethical speech: restraint, truthfulness (satya), and measured words in a public assembly. The verse presents sabhā-dharma—how one ought to speak (or refrain) in a formal council.

What is the narrative situation?

In Rāvaṇa’s court, the assembled members maintain silence and decorum, avoiding falsehood and loud talk, while attentively watching their king.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-control (dama) and truth-oriented restraint in speech, paired with competence and valor.