Shloka 6.63.11

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

Devanagari script

उपप्रदानंसान्त्वं च भेदंकाले च विक्रमम् ।योगं च रक्षसांश्रेष्ठतावुभौ च नयानयौ ।।6.63.11।।कालेधर्मार्थकामान्यस्सम्मन्त्ऱ्यसचिवैःसह ।निषेवेतात्मवान्लोके न स व्यसनमाप्नुयात् ।।6.63.12।।

Transliteration

upapradānaṁ sāntvaṁ ca bhedaṁ kāle ca vikramam |

yogaṁ ca rakṣasāṁ śreṣṭha tāv ubhau ca nayānayau || 6.63.11 ||

Translation

O best of rākṣasas: concession and conciliation, the sowing of division, and—when the time demands—bold force, along with their proper combination: these are statecraft and its opposite, made right or wrong by their use.

Context

"You are the foremost of the Rakshasas! After discussing with ministers, a king either by gifting or conciliation or dissension or resorting to all of them at the appropriate time takes resort to pursue virtue, wealth, or sensual pleasures at the right time, never meets with sorrow."

Characters & Entities

• Kumbhakarṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• rākṣasāḥ (rākṣasas)

FAQs

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

Rajadharma is situational: methods like conciliation, gifts, division, and force become dharmic only when applied with right intent, right timing, and for rightful ends.

What is the narrative situation?

Kumbhakarṇa outlines the classic tools of governance and diplomacy, framing them as policy that can be used well (naya) or misused (anaya).

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Strategic discernment—knowing which instrument to apply and when.