Shloka 5

महोदर-वाक्यं कुम्भकर्ण-प्रतिषेधः

Mahodara’s Counsel and the Critique of Kumbhakarna’s Solo Assault

Devanagari script

यत्तुशक्यंबलवताकर्तुंप्राकृतबुद्धिना ।अनुपासितवृद्धेनकःकुर्यात्तादृशंनरः ।।।।

Transliteration

yat tu śakyaṃ balavatā kartuṃ prākṛtabuddhinā | anupāsitavṛddhena kaḥ kuryāt tādṛśaṃ naraḥ ||

Translation

ವೃದ್ಧರ ಉಪದೇಶದಿಂದ ತರಬೇತಿ ಪಡೆಯದೆ, ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಬುದ್ಧಿಯುಳ್ಳ ಬಲವಂತನು ಮಾಡಬಲ್ಲ ಕಾರ್ಯವನ್ನು—ಅದೇ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾಡಲು ವಿವೇಕಿ ಪುರುಷನು ಯಾರು ಮುಂದಾಗುವನು?

Word by Word

• यत्: that which
• यत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक (relative)

• तु: however/indeed
• तु: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्धसूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात

• शक्यम्: possible
• शक्यम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शक् (धातु)
• Form: यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (potential/possible), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘possible’

• बलवता: by a strong person
• बलवता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बलवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/कर्ता-निर्देश), एकवचन; ‘by a strong (man)’

• कर्तुम्: to do
• कर्तुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/क्रियार्थ)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive), अव्यय; ‘to do’

• प्राकृतबुद्धिना: with unsophisticated intellect
• प्राकृतबुद्धिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राकृत-बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (प्राकृता बुद्धिः यस्य)

• अनुपासितवृद्धेन: by one who has not served elders
• अनुपासितवृद्धेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनु-उप-आस् (धातु) + वृद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP) ‘अनुपासित’ + ‘वृद्ध’ (elder); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (बलवता/नरेण)

• कः: who?
• कः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; प्रश्नवाचक

• कुर्यात्: could/should do
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• तादृशम्: such (a thing)
• तादृशम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तादृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (कर्म)

• नरः: a man/person
• नरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Context

" A strong person of unsophisticated intellect, who is progressive, a knower of everything will do such a task which is not possible to do?"

Characters & Entities

• vṛddha (elders/counsellors)

FAQs

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

Dharma here emphasizes disciplined judgment: strength without refinement and guidance from elders can lead to reckless action; righteous conduct includes heeding wise counsel.

What is the narrative situation?

In Ravana’s court, strategic and moral arguments are being exchanged; the verse critiques action driven by raw power and untrained intellect rather than mature counsel.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence (nīti) grounded in humility—valuing the instruction of elders and not relying solely on force.