Shloka 4

विभीषणोपदेशः

Vibhishana’s Counsel to Ravana and the Catalogue of Omens

Devanagari script

मत्तमातङ्गनिश्श्वासैर्व्याकुलीकृतमारुतम् ।शङ्खघोषमहाघोषंतूर्यनादानुनादितम् ।।।।

Transliteration

mattamātaṅganiśśvāsair vyākulīkṛtamārutam | śaṅkhaghoṣamahāghoṣaṃ tūryanādānunāditam ||

Translation

Le lieu était bouleversé par des rafales, comme par le souffle brûlant d’éléphants en rut ; il retentissait du grand éclat des conques et résonnait du tumulte des instruments de fête.

Word by Word

• matta-mātaṅga-niḥśvāsaiḥ: by the breaths of rutting elephants
• matta-mātaṅga-niḥśvāsaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: matta + mātaṅga + niḥśvāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; हेतु/करणार्थ (by/with the breaths)

• vyākulī-kṛta-mārutam: having air made turbulent
• vyākulī-kṛta-mārutam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vyākulī-kṛta (कृदन्त; √kṛ कृ + क्त) + māruta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; ‘wind/air made turbulent’

• śaṅkha-ghoṣa-mahā-ghoṣam: with a great conch-blast sound
• śaṅkha-ghoṣa-mahā-ghoṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śaṅkha + ghoṣa + mahā + ghoṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण; ‘great sound (being) conch-sound’

• tūrya-nāda-anunāditam: echoing with instrumental music
• tūrya-nāda-anunāditam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tūrya + nāda + anu-√nad (धातु; नद्) + kta (कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; ‘resounded following/echoing the music-sounds’

Context

It was filled with elephants in rut breathing heavily, which was like a tempestuous wind around, that echoed by the blowing of conchs of the early morning and filled with the sounds of drums and trumpets.

Characters & Entities

• śaṅkha (conch)
• tūrya (musical instruments)
• mātaṅga (elephants)

FAQs

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

The verse indirectly highlights ordered kingship and ritual propriety: even amid conflict, a court maintains auspicious sounds and disciplined ceremony—outer order reflecting an ideal of dharmic governance (though later contrasted with Rāvaṇa’s adharma).

What is the narrative situation?

The narration describes the soundscape and bustling atmosphere of the royal precinct as Vibhīṣaṇa approaches/enters his brother’s abode.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not a direct virtue statement; it sets the stage for Vibhīṣaṇa’s composed, observant approach—steadiness and clarity before giving righteous counsel.