Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 21

विभीषणोपदेशे रावणस्य परुषवाक्यम्

Ravana’s Harsh Reply to Vibhishana’s Counsel

Devanagari script

सुलभाःपुरुषराजन् सततंप्रियवादिनः ।अप्रियस्यचपथ्यस्यवक्ताश्रोताचदुर्लभः ।।।।

Transliteration

sulabhāḥ puruṣa rājan satataṃ priyavādinaḥ | apriyasya ca pathyasya vaktā śrotā ca durlabhaḥ ||

Translation

王よ、常に耳に甘い言葉を語る者は得やすい。だが不快であっても益ある言葉を告げる者も、それを聞き受ける者も、ともに稀である。

Word by Word

• baddham: bound
• baddham: Karma (कर्म/object-qualifier)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bandh (बन्ध्) (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त, क्त-प्रत्यय; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of tvām: bound)

• kālasya: of Time/Death
• kālasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• pāśena: by the noose
• pāśena: Karana (करण/instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; करण (instrument)

• sarva-bhūtāpahāriṇā: all-being-destroying
• sarva-bhūtāpahāriṇā: Karana (करण/instrument-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + bhūta (प्रातिपदिक) + apahārin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (sarvāṇi bhūtāni apaharati iti); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; pāśena इति विशेषणम् (noose that takes away all beings)

• na: do not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय

• naśyantam: perishing
• naśyantam: Karma (कर्म/object-qualifier)
• Type: Verb
• Root: naś (नश्) (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त, शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of tvām: perishing)

• upekṣeta: should ignore
• upekṣeta: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa + īkṣ (ईक्ष्) (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), आत्मनेपद; मध्यम-पुरुष, एकवचन; निषेधेन सह (should not ignore)

• tvām: you
• tvām: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: सर्वनाम; द्वितीया, एकवचन

• pradīptam: blazing
• pradīptam: Karma (कर्म/object-qualifier)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + dīp (दीप्) (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त, क्त-प्रत्यय; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; उपमानस्य विशेषणम् (blazing)

• śaraṇam: a refuge; shelter
• śaraṇam: Karma (कर्म/object in simile)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; उपमानपद (as refuge/house)

• yathā: like
• yathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, उपमानार्थे (as/like)

Context

"O King! Those who speak pleasingly are always easier to find than those who speak unpleasant but good words. Listeners of unpleasant words (though good) are difficult (to find)."

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma values truthful, beneficial speech over flattery; both honest advisors and receptive leaders are rare and essential for righteous rule.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa contrasts flattering courtiers with genuine well-wishers, implicitly criticizing the atmosphere around Rāvaṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Satya with hita (truth with welfare): the courage to speak and the maturity to hear difficult truths.