Shloka 4

राक्षसपरिषद्वाक्यम्

Counsel of the Rakshasa Court to Ravana

Devanagari script

राजन्परिघशक्त्यृष्टिशूलपट्टिशकुन्तलम् ।।।।

Transliteration

rājan parigha-śakty-ṛṣṭi-śūla-paṭṭiśa-kuntalam ||6.7.4||

Translation

ഹേ രാജാവേ, (ഞങ്ങള്ക്ക്) പരിഘം (ഇരുമ്പുദണ്ഡം), ശക്തി, ഋഷ്ടി, ശൂലം, പട്ടിശം, കുന്തലം (ഹലത്തിന്റെ ഫാലംപോലെ) തുടങ്ങിയ ആയുധങ്ങൾ ഉണ്ട്.

Word by Word

• rājan: O king
• rājan: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Sambodhana (Voc.), Ekavacana (sg.)

• parigha-śakti-ṛṣṭi-śūla-paṭṭiśa-kuntalam: iron bars, javelins, spears, tridents, axes/swords, and lances
• parigha-śakti-ṛṣṭi-śūla-paṭṭiśa-kuntalam: Karma (कर्म) (elliptical object in context)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parigha (प्रातिपदिक) + śakti (प्रातिपदिक) + ṛṣṭi (प्रातिपदिक) + śūla (प्रातिपदिक) + paṭṭiśa (प्रातिपदिक) + kuntala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Itaretara-dvandva list-compound; Napuṃsakalिङ्ग (n.), Dvitīyā (Acc. 2), Ekavacana (sg.) (collective)

Context

"Oh! king, (our army is equipped with) iron bars, javelins, double edged swords, spears, three pointed weapons, ploughs etc."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

The verse reflects reliance on weaponry; the Dharmic reflection is that instruments of violence cannot substitute for righteous cause—Dharma evaluates motive and justice, not merely armament.

What is the narrative situation?

The counselors enumerate the arsenal to reassure Rāvaṇa of military readiness.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Preparedness and confidence are asserted, though the epic context critiques confidence that is detached from moral legitimacy.