Shloka 14

निकुम्भिला-यज्ञविघ्नोपदेशः

Counsel to Disrupt the Nikumbhilā Rite

Devanagari script

चैत्यंनिकुम्भिलांनामप्राप्यहोमंकरिष्यति ।हुतवानुपयातोहिदेवैरपिसवासवैः ।।।।दुराधर्षोभवत्येषसङ्ग्रामेरावणात्मजः ।

Transliteration

caityaṃ nikumbhilāṃ nāma prāpya homaṃ kariṣyati |

hutavān upayāto hi devair api savāsavaiḥ ||

durādharṣo bhavaty eṣa saṅgrāme rāvaṇātmajaḥ ||

Translation

Đến thánh địa mang tên Nikumbhilā, con trai của Rāvaṇa sẽ cử hành lễ hỏa cúng. Khi đã dâng cúng xong rồi trở lại, hắn trở nên khó bề công phá trong chiến trận—dẫu chư thiên cùng Vāsava (Indra) cũng vậy.

Word by Word

चैत्यम्shrine

निकुम्भिलाम्Nikumbhila

नामby name

प्राप्यhaving reached

होमम्sacrifice (homa)

करिष्यतिwill perform

हुतवान्having offered (oblations)

उपयातःhaving approached

हिindeed

देवैःby the gods

अपिeven

सवासवैःtogether with Vasavas (Indras)

दुराधर्षःhard to assail

भवतिbecomes/is

एषःthis (one)

सङ्ग्रामेin battle

रावणात्मजःRavana's son

Context

"Knowing the prowess of Vanaras, thinking surely that they will create obstacles for the ritual, he used the trick to keep them away (to be sad and not inclined for war)."

Characters & Entities

Vibhīṣaṇa

Rāma

Nikumbhilā

Indrajit/Meghanāda (Rāvaṇātmaja)

Indra (Vāsava)

Devas

FAQs

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

Dharma in warfare includes timely prevention of unjust advantage gained through harmful rites and deception; righteous strategy must counter adharma before it becomes unstoppable.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa informs Rāma that Indrajit is heading to Nikumbhilā to complete a rite that will make him nearly invincible in battle.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudent foresight (nīti) allied with truthfulness: Vibhīṣaṇa gives actionable intelligence to protect the righteous cause.