Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 3

विभीषणोपदेशे रावणस्य परुषवाक्यम्

Ravana’s Harsh Reply to Vibhishana’s Counsel

Devanagari script

जानामिशीलंज्ञातीनांसर्वलोकेषुराक्षस: ।हृष्यन्तिव्यसनेष्वेतेज्ञातीनाज्ञातयस्सदा ।।।।

Transliteration

jānāmi śīlaṃ jñātīnāṃ sarvalokeṣu rākṣasaḥ |

hṛṣyanti vyasaneṣv ete jñātīnā jñātayaḥ sadā ||

Translation

ହେ ରାକ୍ଷସ, ସମସ୍ତ ଲୋକରେ ଜ୍ଞାତିମାନଙ୍କ ସ୍ୱଭାବ ମୁଁ ଜାଣେ; ନିଜ ଜ୍ଞାତି ଦୁର୍ଦ୍ଦଶାରେ ପଡିଲେ ଏହି ଆତ୍ମୀୟମାନେ ସଦା ପୁନଃପୁନଃ ହର୍ଷିତ ହୁଅନ୍ତି।

Word by Word

• jānāmi: I know
• jānāmi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jñā (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• śīlam: nature/character
• śīlam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• jñātīnām: of kinsmen/relatives
• jñātīnām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jñāti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• sarvalokeṣu: in all worlds
• sarvalokeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva + loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (सर्वे लोका: = all worlds)

• rākṣasa: O Rākṣasa
• rākṣasa: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन

• hṛṣyanti: rejoice
• hṛṣyanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √hṛṣ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• vyasaneṣu: in calamities/distresses
• vyasaneṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vyasana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन

• ete: these
• ete: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• jñātīnām: of (their) relatives
• jñātīnām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jñāti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• ajñātayaḥ: non-kin/strangers
• ajñātayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ajñāti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; a- (नञ्) + jñāti

• sadā: always
• sadā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of time)

Context

"Since you are an elderly one, I desired to tender good advice and spoke these words. I may be excused. You protect all these Rakshasas, this capital city and yourself after I depart. Let you be auspicious and be happy."

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• rākṣasas (as a group)

FAQs

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

Dharma here warns against blind trust in even one’s own circle; ethical discernment requires recognizing envy and opportunism that can arise among kin.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa is admonishing Rāvaṇa, explaining that relatives may secretly rejoice in a leader’s downfall, urging Rāvaṇa to heed wise counsel.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vibhīṣaṇa’s satya (truthfulness) and moral courage—speaking an unpleasant truth for the other’s welfare.