Shloka 6.14.22

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

Devanagari script

परस्यवीर्यंस्वबलंचबुध्वास्थानंक्षयंचैवतथैववृद्धिम् ।तथास्वपक्षेप्यनुमृश्यबुध्वावदेत् क्षमंस्वामिहितंसमन्त्री ।।।।

Transliteration

yāvan na gṛhṇanti śirāṃsi bāṇā rāmēritā rākṣasapuṅgavānām | vajropamā vāyusamānavegāḥ pradīyatāṃ dāśarathāya maithilī ||

Translation

Before Rāma’s arrows—thunderbolt-like and swift as the wind—begin to seize the heads of the foremost rākṣasas, let Maithilī be given back to Rāma.

Context

"One who is a minister should advice after ascertaining the strength of the foe and his own strength so also one's own growth (in strength) and fall in strength (of foe) and advice that which is conducive to the king's welfare."।।ityārṣēvālmīkīyēśrīmadrāmāyaṇēādikāvyēyuddhakāṇḍēcaturdasassargaḥ।।This is the end of the fourteenth sarga of Yuddha Kanda of the first epic the holy Ramayana composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sītā (Maithilī)
• Rākṣasa leaders
• Arrows (bāṇa)

FAQs

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

Dharma is prevention of needless destruction: choose restitution and peace over pride, before adharma brings catastrophic results.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa warns that once Rāma attacks, rākṣasa leaders will be slain; therefore Sītā should be returned immediately.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence joined to truthfulness—speaking hard truths for the ruler’s welfare.