Shloka 6.24.27

लङ्कानिरीक्षणं व्यूहविन्यासश्च (Survey of Lanka and Deployment of the Battle Formation)

Devanagari script

ततस्सभयसंविग्नस्तदाराज्ञाभिचोदितः ।वचनंप्रत्युवाचेदंराक्षसाधिपमुत्तमम् ।।।।सागरस्योत्तरेतीरेऽब्रवंतेवचनंतथा ।यथासन्धेशमक्लिष्टंसान्त्वयन् श्लक्ष्णयागिरा ।।।।

Transliteration

tatas sabhayasaṃvignas tadā rājñābhicoditaḥ |

vacanaṃ pratyuvācedaṃ rākṣasādhipam uttamam |

sāgarasyottare tīre 'bravaṃ te vacanaṃ tathā |

yathāsandeśam akliṣṭaṃ sāntvayan ślakṣṇayā girā ||

Translation

Then Śuka, anxious with fear, prompted by the king, replied to the lord of the Rakshasas: “On the northern shore of the ocean, I delivered your message exactly as given—without strain—speaking gently, in a conciliatory tone.”

Context

Then Suka who was caught by fear, having been asked by the king, trembling away thus replied to the Rakshasa king. "I went to the northern shore of the ocean and delivered gently the speech just as it was conveyed by you."

Characters & Entities

• Suka
• Ravana
• Ocean (Sagara)

FAQs

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

Satya in duty: a messenger must report faithfully and accurately, delivering the message as entrusted, using appropriate, non-inflammatory speech.

What is the narrative situation?

Questioned by Rāvaṇa, Śuka explains that he delivered the message on the ocean’s northern shore in a gentle, conciliatory manner.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śuka’s professional integrity as a messenger—accuracy, restraint, and a calming mode of speech.