Shloka 6.63.27

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

Devanagari script

स सुहृद्योविपन्नार्थंदीनमभ्यवपद्यते ।।6.63.27।।स बन्धुर्योऽपनीतेषुसाहाय्यायोपकल्पते ।

Transliteration

sa suhṛd yo vipannārthaṃ dīnam abhyavapadyate || 6.63.27 || sa bandhur yo 'panīteṣu sāhāyyāyopakalpate |

Translation

A true friend is one who stands by a man when his fortune has collapsed and he is in distress; and a true kinsman is one who is ready to help even when one has strayed from proper conduct.

Context

" A friend is one who helps when one's fortune is lost and is desperate. Deviating from morals the one who is prepared to help is a relation."

Characters & Entities

• Kumbhakarṇa
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma here stresses loyalty expressed through compassionate support: friendship and kinship are proven in adversity and moral failure, not in comfort.

What is the narrative situation?

Kumbhakarṇa addresses the distressed Rāvaṇa, framing what genuine support looks like before he proceeds to counsel and act.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness and protective solidarity—standing by another in crisis while still engaging with the question of right conduct.