Shloka 6.14.18

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

Devanagari script

अनन्तभोगेनसहस्रमूर्थ्नानागेनभीमेनमहाबलेव ।बलात्परिक्षिप्तमिमंभवन्तोराजानमुत्क्षिप्यविमोचयन्तु ।।।।

Transliteration

ananta-bhोगena sahasra-mūrdhnā nāgena bhīmena mahā-balena | balāt parikṣiptam imaṁ bhavanto rājānam utkṣipya vimocayantu ||

Translation

This king is now tightly coiled by a fearsome serpent—mighty, thousand-headed, of endless coils. You should lift him up and free him from that constriction by force.

Context

"This king is entwined by a fearsome and extremely strong thousand hooded snake endowed with extraordinary energy at present. Lift him up and relieve him."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa (implied as 'the king')
• Serpent (nāga) metaphor

FAQs

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

Dharma includes intervention to prevent wrongdoing: when a leader is bound by destructive obsession, advisers must act decisively to restrain and reform.

What is the narrative situation?

Using a serpent-entanglement metaphor, the speaker urges the court to rescue the king from the grip of his ruinous fixation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Protective responsibility—placing the kingdom’s welfare above passive obedience.