Shloka 6.16.19

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

Devanagari script

सत्वंभ्राताऽसिमेराजन्ब्रूहिमांयद्यदिच्छसि ।ज्येष्टोमान्यःपितृसमोनचधर्मपथेस्थितः ।।।।इदंतुपरुषंवाक्यंनक्षमाम्यग्रजस्यते ।

Transliteration

abravīc ca tadā vākyaṃ jātakrodho vibhīṣaṇaḥ | antarikṣagataḥ śrīmān bhrātaraṃ rākṣasādhipam ||

Translation

Then Vibhīṣaṇa, his wrath kindled, rose into the sky and spoke these words to his brother—the lord of the rākṣasas.

Context

"O King! You, being my elder brother, you may tell me What you wish. You are equal to father being elder brother and are to be honoured. But you have not followed the righteous path. The words you spoke are not pardonable."

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• Laṅkā (implicit)

FAQs

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

Even amid anger, dharma may require speaking truth to power; kinship does not override moral accountability.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa physically distances himself (rising into the air) and prepares to address Rāvaṇa with final admonition.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Resolve—he chooses principled separation rather than complicity.