Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 7, Shloka 9

राक्षसपरिषद्वाक्यम्

Counsel of the Rakshasa Court to Ravana

Devanagari script

मयेनदानवेन्द्रेणत्वद्भयात्सख्यमिच्छता ।दुहितातवभार्यार्थेदत्ताराक्षसपुङ्गव ।।।।

Transliteration

mayena dānavendreṇa tvadbhayāt sakhyam icchatā | duhitā tava bhāryārthe dattā rākṣasapuṅgava ||

Translation

Hỡi bậc anh kiệt tối thượng trong loài Rākṣasa! Maya, chúa tể Dānava, vì sợ uy ngài mà cầu kết minh, đã gả con gái mình cho ngài làm chính thê.

Word by Word

• मयेन: by Maya
• मयेन: करण (Karaṇa/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन — instrumental ‘by Maya’

• दानव-इन्द्रेण: by the Danava-lord
• दानव-इन्द्रेण: करण (Karaṇa/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दानव (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन — ‘by the lord of Danavas’ (apposition to मयेन)

• त्वद्-भयात्: from fear of you
• त्वद्-भयात्: हेतु (Hetu/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन — ablative ‘out of fear of you’

• सख्यम्: friendship; alliance
• सख्यम्: कर्म (Karma/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन — object of icchatā

• इच्छता: desiring
• इच्छता: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष्/इच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन — agrees with मयेन; ‘while desiring’

• दुहिता: daughter
• दुहिता: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुहितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन — subject of dattā

• तव: your
• तव: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन — genitive ‘of you/your’

• भार्य-अर्थे: for (as) a wife
• भार्य-अर्थे: सम्प्रदान (Sampradāna/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भार्या (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th), एकवचन — dative ‘for (as) a wife’

• दत्ता: was given
• दत्ता: कर्मणि-भाव (Karmani/कर्मणि)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन — agrees with दुहिता; ‘was given’

• राक्षस-पुङ्गव: O best of Rakshasas
• राक्षस-पुङ्गव: सम्बोधन (Sambodhana/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक) + पुङ्गव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन — address ‘best of Rakṣasas’

Context

"Maya, the ruler of Danavas has given his daughter (Mandodari) to you as a wife out of fear of you, O leader of Rakshasas!"

Characters & Entities

• Maya (Dānava-king)
• Dānavas
• Rākṣasas
• Mandodarī (implied as Maya’s daughter in tradition)

FAQs

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

It underscores how fear-driven alliances distort Dharma: relationships formed under coercion lack the moral foundation of consent, truthfulness (satya), and mutual righteousness.

What is the narrative situation?

The verse situates Rāvaṇa’s prestige as so intimidating that Maya sought protection through alliance, offering his daughter in marriage.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Political influence and intimidation are highlighted, serving as a contrast to Dharmic kingship which wins allegiance through justice rather than fear.