Shloka 6.63.10

कुम्भकर्णोपदेशः — Kumbhakarna’s Counsel and War-Boast to Ravana

Devanagari script

त्रिषुचैतेषुयच्छ्रेष्ठंश्रुत्वातन्नावबुध्यते ।राजावाराजमात्रोवाव्यर्थंतस्यबहुश्रुतम् ।।6.63.10।।

Transliteration

triṣu caiteṣu yac chreṣṭhaṁ śrutvā tan nāvabudhyate |

rājā vā rājamātro vā vyarthaṁ tasya bahuśrutam || 6.63.10 ||

Translation

Among these three, if a king—or even one fit to be called king—hears what is best yet fails to grasp it, then all his learning is wasted.

Context

" A sovereign king or a king hearing these three does not recognize the best of the three is in vain even though he heard many."

Characters & Entities

• Kumbhakarṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• rājā (king)

FAQs

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

True dharma in leadership requires discernment (viveka): knowledge is validated by right understanding and right choice, not by mere accumulation of learning.

What is the narrative situation?

Kumbhakarṇa begins a pointed critique of ineffective kingship—hearing counsel but failing to identify and adopt what is best.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Practical wisdom: the capacity to select the best course from competing options.