Shloka 6.49.23

शरबन्धनविलापः (The Lament under the Net of Arrows)

Devanagari script

अस्मिन्मुहूर्तेसुग्रीव प्रतियातुमितोऽर्हसि ।मत्वाहीनंराजन् रावणोऽभिद्रवेद्बली ।।6.49.23।।

Transliteration

tac ca mithyāpralaptaṃ māṃ pradhakṣyati na saṃśayaḥ |

yan mayā na kṛto rājā rākṣasānāṃ vibhīṣaṇaḥ ||6.49.22||

Translation

That false utterance of mine will burn me up—there is no doubt—since I have not made Vibhīṣaṇa king of the Rākṣasas.

Context

"Sugriva! You return back from here now. Strong Ravana will chase you because of my not being here."

Characters & Entities

• Vibhishana
• Rakshasas

FAQs

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

Satya (truthfulness): false speech is seen as morally corrosive, bringing inner punishment (remorse) and fear of consequences.

What is the narrative situation?

In the shock of the battlefield reversal, the speaker fears the karmic and practical fallout of having spoken untruth regarding Vibhīṣaṇa’s kingship.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Conscience and accountability—recognizing one’s own lapse from truth and feeling compelled to rectify it.