Shloka 6.14.11

विभीषणोपदेशः (Vibhīṣaṇa’s Counsel to Rāvaṇa and the Rākṣasa Court)

Devanagari script

वधस्तुरामस्यमयात्वयाचप्रहस्तसर्वैरपिराक्षसैर्वा ।कथंभवेदर्थविशारदस्यमहार्णवंतर्तुमिवाप्लवस्य ।।।।

Transliteration

vadhas tu rāmasya mayā tvayā ca prahasta sarvair api rākṣasair vā |

kathaṃ bhaved artha-viśāradasya mahārṇavaṃ tartum ivāplavasya ||

Translation

Prahastha, how could the killing of Rāma be possible—by me, by you, or even by all the Rākṣasas—when he is discerning in all matters? It would be like a non-swimmer trying to cross the vast ocean.

Context

"Prahastha! How can you or me or all Rakshasas kill Rama who is knowledgeable of everything, just as one who is not swimming can cross the great ocean."

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāma
• Prahastha
• Rākṣasas
• Mahārṇava (great ocean)

FAQs

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

Dharma is linked with clear-sighted truth: Vibhīṣaṇa urges realism grounded in moral order—opposing a righteous protector like Rāma is both ethically wrong and strategically ruinous.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa warns Prahastha and the court that fantasies of killing Rāma are impossible, using a vivid simile of an unskilled person attempting to cross an ocean.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Wisdom (prajñā) and integrity: Vibhīṣaṇa combines ethical judgment with practical assessment, modeling dharmic counsel.