Shloka 6.16.13

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

Devanagari script

यथापूर्वंगजस्स्नात्वागृह्यहस्तेनवैरजः ।दूषयत्यात्मनोदेहंतथानार्येषुसङ्गतम् ।।।।

Transliteration

yathā pūrvaṃ gajaḥ snātvā gṛhya hastena vai rajaḥ | dūṣayaty ātmano dehaṃ tathā 'nāryeṣu saṅgatam || 6.16.13 ||

Translation

Just as an elephant, after bathing, takes up dust with its trunk and soils its own body, so too association with the ignoble defiles one’s own good state.

Context

"Just as an elephant takes dust with its trunk and abuses (and spreads on) its own body after taking a bath so also is the association with unworthy ones."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Elephant (gaja)

FAQs

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

Dharma stresses guarding one’s conduct through wholesome company; bad association can undo one’s purity and discipline, like self-soiling after cleansing.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa continues his tirade, using vivid imagery to argue that association with ‘unworthy’ persons is degrading.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment in choosing companions (saṅga-viveka) is implied as a virtue; the scene also exposes Rāvaṇa’s misuse of counsel as insult.