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

اے راکشس! اگرچہ سردار اہلِ تدبیر، صاحبِ علم اور دھرم پر قائم ہو—بلکہ بہادر بھی ہو—تب بھی اس کے اپنے رشتہ دار اسے حقیر جانتے اور اس کی توہین کرتے ہیں۔

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.