Shloka 6.31.41

मायाशिरोप्रदर्शनम् (The Display of the Illusory Head of Rāma)

Devanagari script

तमब्रवीत्ततोराजारावणोराक्षसंस्थितम् ।विद्युज्जिह्वंमहाजिह्वंसमीपपरिवर्तिनम् ।।।।

Transliteration

tam abravīt tato rājā rāvaṇo rākṣasaṃ sthitam |

vidyujjihvaṃ mahājihvaṃ samīpaparivartinam ||

Translation

Then King Ravana spoke to that rakshasa Vidyujjihva—great-tongued—who had come close and stood nearby.

Context

Then the king, Ravana spoke to Vidyujihvam, the Rakshasa with extended tongue, who stood close by.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Vidyujihva

FAQs

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

Speech and command carry moral weight; dharma evaluates leadership by the ends it pursues—here, coercion rather than truth.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa is about to give direct instructions to Vidyujihva in the ongoing deception of Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not virtue but characterization: Rāvaṇa’s authoritative control and Vidyujihva’s readiness to execute.