Shloka 16

शूर्पणखाया रावणं प्रति नीत्युपदेशः

Surpanakha’s Political Admonition to Ravana

Devanagari script

अतिमानिनमग्राह्यमात्मसम्भावितं नरम्।क्रोधिनं व्यसने हन्ति स्वजनोऽपि महीपतिम्।।।।

Transliteration

atimāninam agrāhyam ātmasambhāvitaṃ naram | krodhinaṃ vyasane hanti svajano 'pi mahīpatim ||

Translation

ครั้นถึงคราววิบัติ แม้คนของตนเองก็อาจฆ่ากษัตริย์ผู้ทะนงตนยิ่งนัก ผู้คนดีรับไม่ได้ ผู้หลงตน และผู้โกรธเกรี้ยว

Word by Word

• अतिमानिनम्: over-proud
• अतिमानिनम्: विशेषण (to कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अति-मानिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: अति + मानिन् (उपसर्गपूर्वक); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; modifies महीपतिम्

• अग्राह्यम्: unacceptable, not to be heeded
• अग्राह्यम्: विशेषण (to कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-ग्राह्य (प्रातिपदिक; √ग्रह + यत्)
• Form: नञ्-समास/नकारान्त; ‘not to be accepted’; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; modifies महीपतिम्

• आत्मसम्भावितम्: self-conceited
• आत्मसम्भावितम्: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आत्म-सम्भावित (प्रातिपदिक; सम्भावित from सम्-भू/भाव् + क्त)
• Form: समास: आत्मना सम्भावितः (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष/मध्यम); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; modifies नरम्/महीपतिम्

• नरम्: a man
• नरम्: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular (appositional to महीपतिम्)

• क्रोधिनम्: wrathful
• क्रोधिनम्: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रोधिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; modifies महीपतिम्

• व्यसने: in adversity
• व्यसने: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; Locative singular

• हन्ति: kills
• हन्ति: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• स्वजनः: one's own people/kinsman
• स्वजनः: कर्ता (Karta)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व-जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: स्वः जनः (कर्मधारय); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• अपि: even
• अपि: सम्बन्धसूचक (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: सम्भावना/अपवादबोधक अव्यय (even/also)

• महीपतिम्: the king
• महीपतिम्: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मही-पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: मह्याः पतिः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular

Context

A king who does not do what ought to be done, does not fear what ought to be feared, will surely be dislodged from the kingdom and live a wretched life like a blade of grass.

Characters & Entities

• King (mahīpati)

FAQs

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

Power without humility and self-control becomes self-destructive; dharma-based rulership requires approachability, restraint, and respect for the good.

What is the narrative situation?

A stark warning is delivered: tyrannical traits can provoke revolt or betrayal, especially when the ruler is weakened by crisis.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility and emotional discipline: conquering anger and ego is presented as essential to stable kingship.