Shloka 6.31.5

मायाशिरोप्रदर्शनम् (The Display of the Illusory Head of Rāma)

Devanagari script

मन्त्रयित्वासदुर्धर्षःक्षमंयत्समनन्तरम् ।विसर्जयित्वासचिवान्प्रविवेशस्वमालयम् ।।।।

Transliteration

evam uktaḥ tathety āha vidyujjihvo niśācaraḥ |

darśayāmāsa tāṃ māyāṃ suprayuktāṃ sa rāvaṇe ||

tasya tuṣṭo 'bhavad rājā pradadau ca vibhūṣaṇam |

Translation

Thus addressed, the night-roamer Vidyujjihva replied, “So be it,” and displayed to Rāvaṇa the illusion, deftly wrought. The king, pleased, bestowed an ornament upon him.

Context

Thereafter, thinking about what is appropriate to do, unassailable Ravana dispensed his ministers and entered his own residence.

Characters & Entities

• Vidyujjihva
• Rāvaṇa
• illusion (māyā)
• ornament (vibhūṣaṇa)

FAQs

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

It warns that rewarding wrongdoing normalizes adharma. Satya is undermined when deception is incentivized with gifts and praise.

What is the narrative situation?

Vidyujjihva agrees, performs the illusion, and Rāvaṇa rewards him—confirming the deception will be used against Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse highlights skill (kauśala) divorced from ethics—ability becomes harmful when not guided by dharma.