Shloka 10

रावण-सारथि-संवादः

Ravana and the Charioteer: Counsel, Omens, and Battlefield Conduct

Devanagari script

एवंपुरुषमुक्तस्तुहितबुद्धिबुद्धिना ।अब्रवीद्रावणंसूतोहितंसानुनयंवचः ।।।।

Transliteration

evaṃ paruṣam uktaḥ tu hita-buddhi-buddhinā | abravīd rāvaṇaṃ sūto hitaṃ sānunayaṃ vacaḥ ||

Translation

ラーヴァナに荒々しく言い放たれながらも、善き分別を備えた御者は、益となり和らげる言葉でラーヴァナに答えた。

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus, in that way
• एवम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverb): प्रकारवाचक (manner)

• परुषम्: harsh (words)
• परुषम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifier)

• उक्तः: spoken / addressed
• उक्तः: Karta (कर्ता) (as predicate participle with implied agent)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगे ‘having been spoken/being spoken’

• तु: but, indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/विरोधार्थक निपात (particle: but/indeed)

• हितबुद्धिः: one of beneficial counsel
• हितबुद्धिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हित + बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (हिताय बुद्धिः/हिते बुद्धिः); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• बुद्धिना: with (his) understanding
• बुद्धिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

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

• रावणम्: to Ravana
• रावणम्: Sampradāna/Prati (सम्प्रदान/प्रति-लक्ष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रावण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• सूतः: the charioteer
• सूतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• हितम्: beneficial
• हितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying ‘vacaḥ’)

• सानुनयम्: conciliatory, with entreaty
• सानुनयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + अनुनय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying ‘vacaḥ’)

• वचः: words, speech
• वचः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

Context

When the insensitive Ravana spoke harshly in that manner, to the charioteer who was wishing his benefit, he spoke in friendly language to Ravana.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• charioteer (sūta)

FAQs

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

Dharma upholds truthful, beneficial speech (satya-hita-vākya): even when treated harshly, the wise respond with measured, constructive counsel rather than retaliation.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa speaks harshly; the charioteer, committed to Rāvaṇa’s welfare, answers gently and with advice.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Forbearance and ethical speech: the charioteer embodies calm, welfare-oriented counsel under provocation.