Shloka 40

विभीषणागमनम्

Vibhīṣaṇa’s Arrival and the Debate on Refuge

Devanagari script

छादयित्वाऽत्मभावंहिचरन्तिशठबुद्धयः ।प्रहरन्तिचरन्ध्रेषुसोऽनर्थस्सुमहान्भवेत् ।।6.17.40।।

Transliteration

chādayitvā 'tmabhāvaṃ hi caranti śaṭha-buddhayaḥ |

praharanti ca randhreṣu so 'narthaḥ su-mahān bhavet ||6.17.40||

Translation

ശഠബുദ്ധിയുള്ളവർ സ്വന്തം യഥാർത്ഥ ഭാവം മറച്ചുവെച്ച് സഞ്ചരിക്കുകയും ദുർബലതകളിലെ വിടവുകളെ ലക്ഷ്യമാക്കി പ്രഹരിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു; അതിനാൽ അത്യന്തം വലിയ അനർത്ഥം സംഭവിക്കും.

Word by Word

छादयित्वाhaving concealed

आत्मभावम्one's own nature

हिindeed

चरन्तिmove about

शठबुद्धयःthe deceitful-minded

प्रहरन्तिstrike, attack

चand

रन्ध्रेषुin weak spots

सःthat (result)

अनर्थःharm, disaster

सुमहान्very great

भवेत्would become

Context

"One who has a perfidious mind keeps moving about concealing his intention and will attack at weak points, which will be a great inestimable mistake."

Characters & Entities

Rāma

Vibhīṣaṇa (contextual referent)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes protecting the innocent and the mission through alertness; truth (satya) must be safeguarded against deceit that exploits weaknesses.

What is the narrative situation?

Angada argues that a potential infiltrator may hide intentions and attack at weak points, so Vibhīṣaṇa should be examined carefully.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Protective foresight—anticipating risks and preventing harm through careful scrutiny.