Shloka 6.16.11

विभीषणोपदेशे रावणस्य परुषवाक्यम् (Ravana’s Harsh Reply to Vibhishana’s Counsel)

Devanagari script

यथापुष्करपत्रेषुपतितास्तोयबिन्दवः ।नश्लेषमभिगच्छन्तितथाऽनार्येषुसङ्गतम् ।।।।

Transliteration

yathā puṣkara-patreṣu patitās toya-bindavaḥ | na śleṣam abhigacchanti tathā 'nāryeṣu saṅgatam || 6.16.11 ||

Translation

As water-drops fallen upon lotus leaves do not cling, so too association with the ignoble yields no true bonding or lasting friendship.

Context

"Just as drops of water that fall on lotus leaves do not adhere to each other, like wise however long you spend with an unworthy (relative) one, good friendship does not take place."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Lotus leaf (puṣkara-patra)

FAQs

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

The teaching (though spoken harshly) aligns with a nīti idea: lasting friendship requires virtue; without dharmic character, association remains superficial and unreliable.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa insults Vibhīṣaṇa by implying that no genuine bond forms with the ‘unworthy,’ using a lotus-leaf simile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast, the epic values steadfast friendship grounded in virtue and truth; the verse highlights how contempt and pride corrode kinship.