Shloka 6.16.27

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

Devanagari script

निवार्यमाणस्यमयाहितैषिणानरोचतेतेवचनंनिशाचर: ।परीतकालाहिगतायुषोनराहितंनगृह्णन्तिसुहृद्भिरीरितम् ।।।।

Transliteration

nityam anyonya-saṃhṛṣṭā vyasaneṣv ātatāyinaḥ |

pracchanna-hṛdayā ghorā jñātayas tu bhayāvahāḥ ||

Translation

Relatives can be dreadful: ever pretending mutual joy, they exult in another’s calamity—like aggressors, hiding their hearts and bringing fear.

Context

"O King! My words (of advice), given in your interest to prevent you, are not palatable to you. Good advice tendered by friends at the time of death will not be received by those beings whose life is over."৷৷ইত্যার্ষেবাল্মীকীযেশ্রীমদ্রামাযণেআদিকাব্যেযুদ্ধকাণ্ডেষোডশস্সর্গঃ৷৷This is the end of the sixteenth sarga of Yuddha Kanda of the first epic the holy Ramayana composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• rākṣasas (as a group)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires inner sincerity; the verse condemns hypocrisy and concealed malice, urging discernment in whom one trusts.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa highlights the danger of insincere kinsmen to persuade Rāvaṇa to abandon adharma and accept corrective advice.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence (viveka) and truth-speaking for another’s welfare.