Shloka 20

कुम्भकर्णोपदेशः

Kumbhakarna’s Counsel and War-Boast to Ravana

Devanagari script

योहिशत्रुमवज्ञायनात्मानमभिरक्षति ।अवाप्नोतिहिसोऽनर्थान् स्थानाच्चव्यवरोप्यते ।।6.63.20।।

Transliteration

yo hi śatrum avajñāya nātmānam abhirakṣati | avāpnoti hi so ’narthān sthānāc ca vyavaropyate ||6.63.20||

Translation

敵を侮って自らを守らぬ者は、必ず災いに遭い、さらにその地位からも引きずり落とされる。

Word by Word

• yaḥ: who
• yaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (relative pronoun)

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha-dyotaka (सम्बन्धद्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), emphasis/causal nuance

• śatrum: the enemy
• śatrum: Karma (कर्म/Object of avajñāya)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śatru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• avajñāya: having despised
• avajñāya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ava-√jñā (धातु: √jñā; उपसर्ग: ava)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्): 'having despised/undervalued'

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध)

• ātmānam: himself
• ātmānam: Karma (कर्म/Object of abhirakṣati)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• abhirakṣati: protects
• abhirakṣati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-√rakṣ (धातु: √rakṣ; उपसर्ग: abhi)
• Form: Present (लट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• avāpnoti: attains
• avāpnoti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava-√āp (धातु: √āp; उपसर्ग: ava)
• Form: Present (लट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha-dyotaka (सम्बन्धद्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), emphasis

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• anarthān: misfortunes
• anarthān: Karma (कर्म/Object of avāpnoti)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anartha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• sthānāt: from (his) position
• sthānāt: Apādāna (अपादान/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sthāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय)

• vyavaropyate: is cast down/removed
• vyavaropyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-ava-√ruh (धातु: √ruh; उपसर्ग: vi, ava)
• Form: Present (लट्), Ātmanepada, 3rd person, Singular; passive/reflexive sense: 'is made to fall/removed'

Context

"He who knowing fully the actions of the enemy does not protect himself he attains reverses and is also dragged down from position."

Characters & Entities

• Kumbhakarṇa
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Arrogance that underestimates danger violates responsible conduct; dharma in leadership includes vigilance and protection of one’s realm and self.

What is the narrative situation?

Kumbhakarṇa warns Rāvaṇa that contempt for the enemy leads to downfall and loss of authority.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Amanitva (lack of arrogance) expressed as careful vigilance and realistic assessment.