Shloka 6.9.16

विभीषणोपदेशः — Vibhishana’s Counsel to Ravana

Devanagari script

नतुक्षमंवीर्यवतातेनधर्मानुवर्तिना ।वैरंनिरर्थकंकर्तुंदीयतामस्यमैथिली ।।।।

Transliteration

na tu kṣamaṃ vīryavatā tena dharmānuvartinā | vairaṃ nirarthakaṃ kartuṃ dīyatām asya maithilī ||

Translation

It is not fitting to maintain a pointless enmity with that valorous one who follows dharma; let Maithilī be given back to him.

Context

"To have enmity with a valorous one, a follower of dharma, is useless and not good for us. Give away Mythili to him (Rama)."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (implied)
• Maithilī (Sītā)

FAQs

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

Do not persist in unjust hostility; dharma prefers reconciliation through returning what was wrongly taken, especially when the opponent is righteous.

What is the narrative situation?

Counsel in Laṅkā urges Rāvaṇa to end the conflict by giving Sītā back to Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s dharma-niṣṭhā (steadfastness in righteousness) is cited as a reason not to wage futile enmity.