Shloka 6.24.28

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

Devanagari script

ततस्सभयसंविग्नस्तदाराज्ञाभिचोदितः ।वचनंप्रत्युवाचेदंराक्षसाधिपमुत्तमम् ।।6.24.27।।सागरस्योत्तरेतीरेऽब्रवंतेवचनंतथा ।यथासन्धेशमक्लिष्टंसान्त्वयन् श्लक्ष्णयागिरा ।।6.24.28।।

Transliteration

tatas sabhayasaṃvignas tadā rājñābhicoditaḥ |

vacanaṃ pratyuvācedaṃ rākṣasādhipam uttamam |

sāgarasyottare tīre 'bravaṃ te vacanaṃ tathā |

yathāsandeśam akliṣṭaṃ sāntvayan ślakṣṇayā girā ||

Translation

Then Śuka, fearful and shaken, urged by the king, answered the Rakshasa lord: “On the ocean’s northern shore I spoke your message as it was given, gently and in a soothing manner, without altering it.”

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?

A dharmic messenger preserves satya by conveying the message unchanged, and preserves peace by choosing gentle, non-provocative speech.

What is the narrative situation?

This repeats Śuka’s explanation of how he delivered Rāvaṇa’s message.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthfulness and composure under pressure.