Shloka 21

रावणवधोत्तरं विभीषणशोकः—क्षत्रधर्मोपदेशः

Vibhishana’s Lament after Ravana’s Fall; Instruction on Kshatriya-Dharma

Devanagari script

मुक्तवाक्यंविक्रान्तंराजपुत्रंविभीषणः ।उवाचशोकसन्तप्तोभ्रातुर्हितमनन्तरम् ।।।।

Transliteration

muktavākyaṃ vikrāntaṃ rājaputraṃ vibhīṣaṇaḥ |

uvāca śoka-santapto bhrātur hitam anantaram ||

Translation

勇敢なる王子が語り終えると、悲しみに灼かれたヴィビーシャナは、ついで口を開き、兄のためになることを求めて言葉を継いだ。

Word by Word

• mukta-vākyam: who had spoken (his) words
• mukta-vākyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of rājaputram
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mukta (कृदन्त, √muc; PPP) + vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā Ekavacana; तत्पुरुषः—"मुक्तं वाक्यं येन/यस्य" (having uttered words)

• vikrāntam: valiant
• vikrāntam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of rājaputram
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vikrānta (कृदन्त, √kram with vi-; PPP)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā Ekavacana

• rāja-putram: the prince
• rāja-putram: Karma (कर्म) / addressee of uvāca
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक) + putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā Ekavacana; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—"राज्ञः पुत्रः"

• vibhīṣaṇaḥ: Vibhishana
• vibhīṣaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vibhīṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (Perfect), Prathama-puruṣa Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• śoka-santaptaḥ: tormented by grief
• śoka-santaptaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of vibhīṣaṇaḥ
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śoka (प्रातिपदिक) + santapta (कृदन्त, √tap with sam-; PPP)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; तत्पुरुषः—"शोकेन सन्तप्तः"

• bhrātuḥ: of (his) brother
• bhrātuḥ: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (Genitive/षष्ठी) Ekavacana

• hitam: beneficial counsel
• hitam: Karma (कर्म) of uvāca (thing said)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hita (कृदन्त, √dhā with hi-; PPP lexicalized)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Dvitīyā Ekavacana

• anantaram: afterwards, next
• anantaram: Kāla-viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anantara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Kālārtha-avyaya (temporal adverb)

Context

Having spoken that way by the valiant prince to Vibheeshana, who was immersed in grief, spoke to Rama for the good of his brother.

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Even amid grief, one seeks the rightful good (hita)—especially toward family—through proper counsel and action.

What is the narrative situation?

The narrative shifts from Rāma’s counsel to Vibhīṣaṇa’s request concerning his fallen brother/kinsman.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fraternal responsibility and moral clarity despite personal sorrow.