Shloka 12

विभीषणोपदेशः

Vibhishana’s Counsel to Ravana

Devanagari script

बलान्यपरिमेयानिवीर्याणिचनिशाचराः ।परेषांसहसाऽवज्ञानकर्तव्याकथञ्चन ।।।।

Transliteration

balāny aparimeyāni vīryāṇi ca niśācarāḥ | pareṣāṃ sahasā ’vajñā na kartavyā kathañcana ||

Translation

Ô rôdeurs de la nuit, la force et la vaillance de l’ennemi sont sans mesure ; ne les méprisez jamais, d’aucune manière, dans une hâte irréfléchie.

Word by Word

• बलानि: strengths/forces
• बलानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• अपरिमेयानि: immeasurable
• अपरिमेयानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-परिमेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् बलानि/वीर्याणि इति

• वीर्याणि: valor/energy
• वीर्याणि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (and)

• निशाचराः: O night-rangers (rakshasas)
• निशाचराः: Sambodhana/Karta (सम्बोधन/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशाचर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सम्बोधनार्थे अपि (addressing)

• परेषाम्: of others/of enemies
• परेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• सहसा: rashly
• सहसा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सहसा (अव्यय)
• Form: रीत्यर्थक-अव्यय (adverb: rashly/suddenly)

• अवज्ञा: disrespect/contempt
• अवज्ञा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• कर्तव्या: is to be done (i.e., should be shown)
• कर्तव्या: Kriyā (क्रिया/vidhi)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (Gerundive/Obligatory), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषणम् अवज्ञा इति; अर्थे: 'should be done' (here: should not be done; implied negation by context)

• कथञ्चन: in any way at all
• कथञ्चन: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कथञ्चन (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-पर्याय/प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (in any way/at all)

Context

"Enemy's strength and valour is inestimable to relate. Do not disregard rashly, O Night ranger!"

FAQs

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

Dharma in leadership includes humility and careful judgment; contempt (avajñā) and rashness (sahasā) are ethical and strategic faults.

What is the narrative situation?

Counsel is being given in Laṅkā’s court: the speaker warns against underestimating Rāma’s coalition.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence and truthfulness in counsel—speaking an uncomfortable truth for the common good.