Shloka 6.14.4

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

Devanagari script

यावन्नगृह्णन्तिशिरांसिबाणारामेरिताराक्षसपुङ्गवानाम् ।वज्रोपमावायुसमानवेगाःप्रदीयतांदाशरथायमैथिली ।।।।

Transliteration

jīvaṃs tu rāmasya na mokṣyase tvaṃ guptaḥ savitrā ’py athavā marudbhiḥ | na vāsavasya ’ṅkagato na mṛtyor nabho na pātāḷam anupraviṣṭaḥ ||

Translation

You will not escape Rāma alive—even if guarded by the Sun or the Maruts; not even if seated in Indra’s lap or in Death’s, nor by entering the sky or plunging into the underworld.

Context

"Give away Mythili to Rama before he releases arrows like that of thunder bolt with the speed of wind and take away the heads of the leader."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Savitr (Sun)
• Maruts
• Indra (Vāsava)
• Mṛtyu (Death)
• Nabhas (sky)
• Pātāla (netherworld)

FAQs

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

Adharma invites unavoidable retribution; the ethical call is to renounce wrongdoing rather than seek protection through power or alliances.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa intensifies his warning: no divine shelter or flight to any realm can save the wrongdoer from Rāma’s justice in war.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fearless truth-speaking (satya) grounded in moral certainty, not flattery.