Shloka 6.14.21

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

Devanagari script

इदंपुरस्यास्यसराक्षसस्यराज्ञश्चपथ्यंससुहृज्जनस्य ।सम्यग्घिवाक्यंस्वमतंब्रवीमिनरेन्द्रपुत्रायददामपत्नीम् ।।।।

Transliteration

yāvan na laṅkāṃ samabhidravanti valīmukhāḥ parvatakūṭamātrāḥ | daṣṭrāyudhāś caiva nakhāyudhāś ca pradīyatāṃ dāśarathāya maithilī ||

Translation

Before the monkey-hosts—huge as mountain-peaks, armed with fangs and claws—rush upon Laṅkā, let Maithilī be handed back to Rāma, the son of Daśaratha.

Context

"I tell these good words embodying my opinion. Let the king's wife be given away for the good of the Rakshasas, their dear ones, for the capital and the king."

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• Vānara (monkeys)
• Rāma (Dāśarathi)
• Sītā (Maithilī)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is corrective justice: undo the wrongful act (abduction and detention of Sītā) by returning her, thereby preventing wider harm.

What is the narrative situation?

In Rāvaṇa’s court, Vibhīṣaṇa urges immediate restitution—return Sītā—before the vānara forces reach Laṅkā and war becomes unavoidable.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vibhīṣaṇa’s moral courage and truthful counsel (satya-vacana) even when it is unpopular in the royal assembly.