Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 10

दूतधर्म-परामर्शः

Envoy-Immunity and Royal Counsel in Ravana’s Court

Devanagari script

विभीषणवचः श्रुत्वा रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः।रोषेण महताविष्टो वाक्यमुत्तरमब्रवीत्।।।।

Transliteration

vibhīṣaṇavacaḥ śrutvā rāvaṇo rākṣaseśvaraḥ |

roṣeṇa mahatāviṣṭo vākyam uttaram abravīt ||

Translation

ヴィビーシャナの諫言を聞くや、羅刹の王ラーヴァナは激しい怒りに包まれ、返答の言葉を発した。

Word by Word

• विभीषणवचः: Vibhishana's words
• विभीषणवचः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विभीषण-वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (vacaḥ = vacas, nom/acc sg)

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund); ‘having heard’

• रावणः: Ravana
• रावणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रावण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• राक्षसेश्वरः: lord of the rakshasas
• राक्षसेश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस-ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• रोषेण: with anger
• रोषेण: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन (instrumental)

• महतā: great
• महतā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (roṣeṇa)

• आविष्टः: overcome (by it)
• आविष्टः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-विश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘overcome/possessed’

• वाक्यम्: speech/words
• वाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• उत्तरम्: replying; as an answer
• उत्तरम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (vākyaṃ)

• अब्रवीत्: said/spoke
• अब्रवीत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect/past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Context

Ravana, the lord of demons heard Vibhishana's words and overcome with anger replied:

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Dharma values listening to wise counsel; the verse shows how anger blocks receptivity to truth (satya) and leads to unrighteous decisions.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa speaks against improper punishment; Rāvaṇa reacts with anger and begins his rebuttal.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The implied virtue is humility before good counsel; Rāvaṇa’s lack of it underscores the danger of pride and wrath.