Shloka 8

विभीषणोपदेशे रावणस्य परुषवाक्यम्

Ravana’s Harsh Reply to Vibhishana’s Counsel

Devanagari script

उपायमेतेवक्ष्यन्तिग्रहणेनात्रसंशयः ।कृत्स्नाद्भयाद् ज्ञातिभयंसुकष्टंविदितंचन ।।।।

Transliteration

upāyam ete vakṣyanti grahaṇenātra saṃśayaḥ |

kṛtsnād bhayād jñāti-bhayaṃ su-kaṣṭaṃ viditaṃ ca naḥ ||

Translation

ไม่ต้องสงสัยเลยว่า เขาทั้งหลายจักสอนอุบายเพื่อจับกุมเรา ในบรรดาความหวาดกลัวทั้งปวง ความกลัวที่เกิดจากญาติของตนเองนั้นหนักหนายิ่งนัก—เรารู้ชัดดังนี้

Word by Word

उपायम्a means/strategy

एतेthese (people)

वक्ष्यन्तिwill tell/declare

ग्रहणेनby seizing/capturing

अत्रhere/in this matter

संशयःdoubt

कृत्स्नात्from the whole/entire

भयात्from fear

ज्ञातिभयम्fear of relatives

सुकष्टम्very difficult

विदितम्known

चand

नnot

Context

"Pretending to be friendly forever the relatives rejoice in them is fortunes of their relatives. They create terrible fear like desperadoes and covertly ones."

Characters & Entities

Vibhīṣaṇa

Rāvaṇa

jñāti (kinsmen/relatives)

FAQs

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

Dharma underscores integrity in relationships; betrayal by insiders is uniquely destructive, so one must cultivate loyalty and righteousness within the family and state.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa argues that internal betrayal and selfish counsel are more perilous than open enemies, urging Rāvaṇa to abandon adharma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Protective wisdom: anticipating harm and steering a leader toward right conduct.