Shloka 23

राक्षसपरिषद्वाक्यम्

Counsel of the Rakshasa Court to Ravana

Devanagari script

शक्तितोमरमीनंचविनिकीर्णान्त्रशैवलम् ।गजकछपसम्बाधमश्वमण्डूकसंकुलम् ।।6.7.22।।रुद्रादित्यमहाग्राहंमरुद्वसुमहोरगम् ।रथश्वगजतोयौघंपदातिपुलिनंमहत् ।।6.7.23।।अनेनहिसमासाद्यदेवानांबलसागरम् ।गृहीतोदैवतपतिर्लङ्कांचापिप्रवेशितः ।।6.7.24।।

Transliteration

rudrāditya-mahā-grāhaṃ marudvasu-mahōragam |

rathaśva-gaja-toyaughaṃ padāti-pulinaṃ mahat ||6.7.23||

Translation

Aquele vasto oceano tinha os Rudras e os Ādityas como grandes crocodilos, e os Maruts e Vasus como poderosas serpentes; suas águas em turbilhão eram carros, cavalos e elefantes, e seus amplos bancos de areia eram as multidões de infantes.

Word by Word

rudra-āditya-mahā-grāhama huge alligator (like Rudras and Ādityas)

marut-vasu-mahā-uragama great serpent (like Maruts and Vasus)

ratha-aśva-gaja-toya-oghama flood of water (i.e., mass) of chariots, horses, and elephants

padāti-pulinama sandbank of foot-soldiers

mahatvast; great

anenaby him/with this (one)

hiindeed

samāsādyahaving encountered

devānāmof the gods

bala-sāgaramocean of army; sea of forces

gṛhītaḥwas captured

daivata-patiḥlord of the gods (Indra)

laṅkāminto Laṅkā

caand

apialso

praveśitaḥwas brought in; made to enter

Characters & Entities

Rudras

Maruts

FAQs

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

Dharma here is implicit through contrast: true strength is aligned with the devas’ order, yet the counselors weaponize memory of defeating them to justify adharma; the ethical lesson is that rhetoric can be used to mask wrongdoing.

What is the narrative situation?

The counselors continue a grand metaphor to magnify Rāvaṇa’s past prowess, attempting to remove his fear of Rāma’s advance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse foregrounds martial grandeur, but the narrative emphasizes the need for viveka (discernment), which the counselors notably lack.