Shloka 48

विभीषणागमनम्

Vibhīṣaṇa’s Arrival and the Debate on Refuge

Devanagari script

वजनंनामतस्यैषरावणस्यविभीषणः ।पृच्छयतांमधुरेणायंशनैर्नरपतीश्वर ।।6.17.48।।

Transliteration

vacanaṃ nāma tasya eṣa rāvaṇasya vibhīṣaṇaḥ | pṛcchyatāṃ madhureṇa ayaṃ śanair narapatīśvara || 6.17.48 ||

Translation

O lord of men, this one is indeed Vibhīṣaṇa, Rāvaṇa’s brother. Let him be questioned gently and slowly, with measured sweetness, and for as long as needed.

Word by Word

• vacanam: words / statement
• vacanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; अत्र द्वितीया (as object of implied 'hear/consider')

• nāma: indeed
• nāma: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nāma (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle: emphasis/indeed)

• tasya: of him
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन

• eṣaḥ: this (one)
• eṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• rāvaṇasya: of Ravana
• rāvaṇasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• vibhīṣaṇaḥ: Vibhishana
• vibhīṣaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vibhīṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; apposition to eṣaḥ

• pṛcchyatām: let (him) be questioned
• pṛcchyatām: Vidhi (विधि/imperative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √prach (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive), तृतीय-पुरुष, एकवचन

• madhureṇa: with gentle (speech)
• madhureṇa: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (or पुं/नपुं as adjective used substantively), तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; साधन (means)

• ayam: this (person)
• ayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• śanaiḥ: slowly
• śanaiḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śanaiḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb: manner)

• narapati-īśvara: O lord of kings (O king)
• narapati-īśvara: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: narapati + īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

Context

"O Best of kings! After truly ascertaining Vibheeshana's intention whether he is wicked or not, you may act wisely (said Mainda)."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma requires fair procedure: even in war, one should investigate truth calmly and respectfully, not through harshness or haste.

What is the narrative situation?

Mainda advises Rāma on how to assess Vibhīṣaṇa, who has come from Rāvaṇa’s side seeking refuge.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Measured discernment with compassion—firm inquiry conducted with gentleness.