Shloka 6.63.19

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

Devanagari script

चपलस्येहकृत्यानिसहसानुप्रधावतः ।छिद्रमन्येप्रपद्यन्तेक्रौञ्चस्य ख मिवद्विजाः ।।6.63.19।।

Transliteration

tān bhartā mitrasaṅkāśān amitrān mantranirṇaye | vyavahāreṇa jānīyāt sacivān upasaṃhitān ||6.63.18||

Translation

A ruler should, in counsel and decision, discern those ministers who seem like friends yet are enemies—drawn into the enemy’s sphere—by observing their conduct.

Context

"Enemies find out the weakness of the king who is unsteady and rush after the actions forcibly without thinking like brahmins just as birds find the holes in Krauncha mountain and elaborate to others."

Characters & Entities

• Kumbhakarṇa
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Righteous rule demands discernment: a king must detect hypocrisy and disloyalty through observable conduct, not mere appearances.

What is the narrative situation?

Kumbhakarṇa outlines principles of governance to Rāvaṇa, warning about ministers who pretend loyalty while serving enemies.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viveka (discriminative wisdom)—judging people by actions in critical deliberations.