Shloka 23

विभीषणोपदेशे रावणस्य परुषवाक्यम्

Ravana’s Harsh Reply to Vibhishana’s Counsel

Devanagari script

दीप्तपावकसङ्काशैश्शितैःकाञ्चनभूषणैः ।नत्वामिच्छाम्यहंद्रष्टुंरामेणनिहतंशरैः ।।।।

Transliteration

dīptapāvaka-saṅkāśaiḥ śitaiḥ kāñcana-bhūṣaṇaiḥ | na tvām icchāmy ahaṃ draṣṭuṃ rāmeṇa nihataṃ śaraiḥ ||

Translation

میں نہیں چاہتا کہ میں تمہیں رام کے تیز تیروں سے مارا ہوا دیکھوں—وہ تیر سونے کے زیوروں سے آراستہ اور دہکتے ہوئے شعلے کی مانند ہیں۔

Word by Word

• dīpta-pāvaka-saṅkāśaiḥ: with (arrows) resembling blazing fire
• dīpta-pāvaka-saṅkāśaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīpta (कृदन्त, √dīp) + pāvaka (प्रातिपदिक) + saṅkāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana; samāsa: dīpta-pāvaka (कर्मधारय) + saṅkāśa (तत्पुरुष: -saṅkāśa = 'like')

• śitaiḥ: sharp
• śitaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Bahuvacana; viśeṣaṇa of śaraiḥ

• kāñcana-bhūṣaṇaiḥ: with golden ornaments (i.e., gold-adorned)
• kāñcana-bhūṣaṇaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāñcana (प्रातिपदिक) + bhūṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी/उपपद-सम्बन्ध): 'golden ornaments'

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: niṣedha-avyaya (negation particle)

• tvām: you
• tvām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana

• icchāmi: I wish
• icchāmi: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √iṣ (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (Present/लट्), Prathama? no: Uttama-puruṣa (1st person/उत्तमपुरुष), Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• aham: I
• aham: Kartā (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana

• draṣṭum: to see
• draṣṭum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Tumun-anta (infinitive/तुमुन्), avyaya-prāya; 'to see'

• rāmeṇa: by Rama
• rāmeṇa: Kartṛ-karaṇa (कर्ता-करण/Agent in passive sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Ekavacana

• nihatam: slain
• nihatam: Karma (कर्म/Object complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ni-√han (धातु)
• Form: Kta-pratyaya (past passive participle/क्त), Napuṃsaka, Dvitīyā (2nd), Ekavacana; agrees with tvām (semantic)

• śaraiḥ: with arrows
• śaraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Bahuvacana

Context

"While the sharp golden arrows of Rama burning like fire strike you, I do not wish to see."

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• Rāma
• arrows (śara)

FAQs

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

Even when opposing adharma, dharma can retain compassion: Vibhīṣaṇa warns not out of hatred, but to prevent needless destruction.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa foresees Rāvaṇa’s death at Rāma’s hands and expresses a reluctant, sorrowful warning.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Benevolence—he remains a well-wisher despite rejection and insult.