Shloka 23

विभीषणागमनम्

Vibhīṣaṇa’s Arrival and the Debate on Refuge

Devanagari script

अथवास्वयमेवैषछिद्रमासाद्यबुद्धिमान् ।अनुप्रविश्यविश्वस्तेकदाचित्प्रहरेदपि ।।6.17.23।।

Transliteration

athavā svayam evaiṣa chidram āsādya buddhimān | anupraviśya viśvaste kadācit prahared api || 6.17.23 ||

Translation

അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ഈ ബുദ്ധിമാൻ സ്വയം ഒരു ദൗർബല്യം കണ്ടെത്തി അകത്തു കടന്നിരിക്കാം; വിശ്വാസം നേടിയ ശേഷം ഏതെങ്കിലും സമയത്ത് പ്രഹരിക്കാനും ഇടയുണ്ട്.

Word by Word

अथवाor else

स्वयम्by himself

एवindeed

एषःthis man

छिद्रम्a weak point, breach

आसाद्यhaving found/reached

बुद्धिमान्intelligent

अनुप्रविश्यhaving entered

विश्वस्तेwhen trusted

कदाचित्perhaps

प्रहरेत्might strike

अपिeven

Context

"Or else if he is a wise one and knows our weak points, might have found a way and reached us. He may strike us if he is trusted."

Characters & Entities

Rāma

Sugrīva

Vibhīṣaṇa (implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires responsible trust: सत्य (truth) must be tested through conduct; naïve trust that endangers others is ethically blameworthy.

What is the narrative situation?

A warning is given that an intelligent infiltrator can exploit weak points and attack after gaining confidence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Practical wisdom—balancing openness with safeguards.