Shloka 6.85.1

निकुम्भिला-यज्ञविघ्नः — Vibhishana’s Counsel and Lakshmana’s March to Nikumbhila

Devanagari script

त्तस्यतद्वचनंश्रुत्वाराघवश्शोककर्शितः ।नोपधारयतेव्यक्तंयदुक्तंतेनरक्षसा ।।6.85.1।।

Transliteration

tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā rāghavaḥ śoka-karśitaḥ | nopadhārayate vyaktaṃ yad uktaṃ tena rakṣasā ||6.85.1||

Translation

Having heard those words, Rāghava—worn down by grief—could not clearly comprehend what was spoken by that Rākṣasa.

Context

Immersed in grief, Raghava could not make out the words spoken by Vibheeshana.

Characters & Entities

• Rāghava (Rāma)
• Rākṣasa (speaker of the words; contextually Vibhīṣaṇa in the provided translation tradition)

FAQs

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

Dharma recognizes human limits: even the righteous can be shaken by grief; compassion and responsible counsel are required when a leader is emotionally overwhelmed.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma, distressed, hears urgent speech in the war-camp but cannot properly process it due to sorrow.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Emotional realism and empathy: the text portrays Rāma’s vulnerability, inviting supportive, truth-oriented guidance from allies.