Shloka 6.14.7

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

Devanagari script

निशम्यवाक्यंतुविभीषणस्यततःप्रहस्तोवचनंबभाषे ।ननोभयंविद्मनदैवतेभ्योनदानवेभ्योऽप्यथवाकुतश्चित् ।।।।

Transliteration

prahastavākyaṃ tv ahitaṃ niśamya vibhīṣaṇo rājahitānukāṅkṣī | tato mahārthaṃ vacanaṃ babhāṣe dharmārthakāmeṣu niviṣṭabuddhiḥ ||

Translation

Hearing Prahasta’s harmful words, Vibhīṣaṇa—seeking the king’s true welfare, and with his mind grounded in dharma, artha, and kāma—then spoke a weighty reply.

Context

After hearing the words said by Vibheeshana, Prahastha spoke these words, we do not know the fear of gods or Rakshasas or anyone.

Characters & Entities

• Prahasta
• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Dharma
• Artha
• Kāma

FAQs

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

True counsel serves rāja-hita (the king’s real good) and is anchored in dharma; it resists harmful rhetoric even when popular.

What is the narrative situation?

After Prahasta’s boastful rejection, the narration frames Vibhīṣaṇa as a principled adviser preparing a substantial response.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Statesmanlike wisdom: integrating dharma with practical aims (artha, kāma) for legitimate governance.