Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 4

विभीषणोपदेशे रावणस्य परुषवाक्यम्

Ravana’s Harsh Reply to Vibhishana’s Counsel

Devanagari script

प्रथानंसाधनंवैद्यंधर्मशीलंचराक्षस: ।ज्ञातयोह्यवमन्यन्तेशूरंपरिभवन्तिच ।।।।

Transliteration

pradhānaṃ sādhanaṃ vaidyaṃ dharmaśīlaṃ ca rākṣasaḥ |

jñātayo hy avamanyante śūraṃ paribhavanti ca ||

Translation

राक्षस, प्रधानं साधनं वैद्यं धर्मशीलं शूरं चापि ज्ञातयः अवमन्यन्ते, परिभवन्ति च।

Word by Word

• प्रथानम्: a chief/leader
• प्रथानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रथान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• साधनम्: an accomplished one/means
• साधनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वैद्यम्: a learned man/physician
• वैद्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (used collectively: learned/physician)

• धर्मशीलम्: virtuous/righteous-natured
• धर्मशीलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्मशील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः धर्मस्य शीलम् (virtue of dharma)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• राक्षसः: the rākṣasa (demon)
• राक्षसः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• ज्ञातयः: relatives/kinsmen
• ज्ञातयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (plural)

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; emphasis/causal)

• अवमन्यन्ते: they despise/disrespect
• अवमन्यन्ते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव + मन् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद

• शूरम्: a hero/valiant man
• शूरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• परिभवन्ति: they insult/overbear
• परिभवन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि + भू (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

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 in leadership is not validated by popularity; the verse teaches steadiness in righteousness even when one faces disrespect—even from one’s own people.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa continues warning Rāvaṇa that internal circles can undermine a ruler, so Rāvaṇa should listen to dharmic counsel rather than flattery.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Forthright integrity and commitment to dharma over social approval.