Shloka 6.34.20

सरमायाḥ सीतासान्त्वनम् तथा रावणनिश्चयश्रवणम् (Saarana Consoles Sita and Reports Ravana’s Resolve)

Devanagari script

जनन्याराक्षसेन्द्रोवैत्वन्मोक्षार्थंबृहद्वचः ।अविद्धेनचवैदेहिमन्त्रिवृद्धेनबोधितः ।।6.33.20।।

Transliteration

jananyā rākṣasendro vai tvanmokṣārthaṃ bṛhadvacaḥ | aviddhena ca vaidehi mantrivṛddhena bodhitaḥ ||

Translation

O Vaidehī, the lord of the Rākṣasas was earnestly urged—at length—by his mother and also by the aged minister Aviddha, to release you.

Context

"O Vaidehi! Ravana's mother Kaikasi and the aged minister Aviddha advised the Lord of Rakshasas to release you."

Characters & Entities

• Saramā
• Sītā (Vaidehī)
• Rāvaṇa
• Rāvaṇa’s mother (Kaikāsī, per given translation tradition)
• Aviddha (aged minister)

FAQs

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

It highlights the dharma of counsel: elders advise a ruler toward righteous restraint—releasing the innocent rather than persisting in adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Saramā reports that internal voices—Rāvaṇa’s mother and an aged minister—attempted to persuade him to free Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The virtue of wise admonition (hitopadeśa): elders speak frankly for the sake of right action and public good.