Shloka 6.6.13

रावणस्य मन्त्रविचारः — Ravana’s Council on Strategy

Devanagari script

बह्व्योऽपिमतीर्गत्वामन्त्रिणामर्थनिर्णये ।।6.6.13।।पुनर्यत्रैकतांप्राप्तस्समन्त्रोमध्यमस्स्मृतः ।

Transliteration

bahvyo ’pi matīr gatvā mantriṇām arthanirṇaye |

punar yatraikatāṃ prāptaḥ sa mantro madhyamaḥ smṛtaḥ ||6.6.13||

Translation

When, in deciding a matter, the ministers arrive at many differing views yet later attain unity, that counsel is remembered as middling.

Context

"The conclusion in which many ministers have different points of view and attain unanimity in decision after meeting different points of view is a mediocre vision."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• ministers (mantriṇaḥ)
• decision-making (arthanirṇaya)

FAQs

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

Dharma permits debate, but seeks convergence for effective action. Satya is approached through discussion that finally yields a shared conclusion, though with more friction than the ideal.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa continues classifying counsel, describing a ‘middling’ form where initial disagreement eventually resolves into unanimity.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Pragmatic cooperation—moving from plurality of views to workable unity.