Shloka 39

विभीषणागमनम्

Vibhīṣaṇa’s Arrival and the Debate on Refuge

Devanagari script

शत्रोस्सकाशात्सम्प्राप्तस्सर्वथाशङ् क्यएवहि ।विश्वासयोग्यस्सहसानकर्तव्योविभीषणः ।।6.17.39।।

Transliteration

śatroḥ sakāśāt samprāptaḥ sarvathā śaṅkya eva hi |

viśvāsa-yogyaḥ sahasā na kartavyo vibhīṣaṇaḥ ||6.17.39||

Translation

Oleh sebab Vibhīṣaṇa datang dari pihak musuh, maka pada segala sisi dia memang patut dicurigai; janganlah diberi kepercayaan sepenuhnya secara tergesa-gesa.

Word by Word

शत्रोःof the enemy

सकाशात्from (the) vicinity

सम्प्राप्तःarrived

सर्वथाin every way

शङ्क्यःsuspectable, to be suspected

एवcertainly

हिindeed

विश्वासयोग्यःworthy of trust

सहसाsuddenly, hastily

नnot

कर्तव्यःto be done/accepted

विभीषणःVibhīṣaṇa

Context

"Since he has come from the enemy's camp suddenly, surely Vibheeshana is to be suspected in every way. He is not worthy to be trusted."

Characters & Entities

Vibhīṣaṇa

Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma in governance includes cautious discernment: trust must be earned through verification, especially when someone defects from an adversary.

What is the narrative situation?

Angada warns Rāma that a sudden arrival from the enemy’s camp can be a tactic; therefore Vibhīṣaṇa should be tested.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence (nīti) and vigilance—protecting the righteous mission from deception.