Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 19, Shloka 9

विभीषणाभिषेकः

The Consecration of Vibhishana and Counsel on Crossing the Ocean

Devanagari script

अवध्यस्सर्वभूतानांगन्धर्वोरगरक्षसाम् ।राजपुत्रदशग्रीवोवरदानात्स्वयंभुवः ।।6.19.9।।

Transliteration

avadhyaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ gandharvoragarakṣasām |

rājaputra daśagrīvo varadānāt svayaṃbhuvaḥ ||6.19.9||

Translation

王子啊，由自生者梵天所赐之恩，十颈的罗波那不为乾闼婆、龙蛇与罗刹所杀，亦不为其他众生所害。

Word by Word

• रावणानन्तरः: next to Rāvaṇa (in order)
• रावणानन्तरः: विशेषण (Qualifier of Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रावण (प्रातिपदिक) + अनन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: ‘रावणस्य अनन्तरः’ (next after Rāvaṇa); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भ्राता विशेषयति

• भ्राता: brother
• भ्राता: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भ्रातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मम: my
• मम: सम्बन्ध (Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• ज्येष्ठः: elder
• ज्येष्ठः: विशेषण (Qualifier of Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्येष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भ्राता विशेषयति

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• वीर्यवान्: valiant; powerful
• वीर्यवान्: विशेषण (Qualifier of Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीर्यवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भ्राता/कुम्भकर्णः विशेषयति

• कुम्भकर्णः: Kumbhakarṇa
• कुम्भकर्णः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुम्भ (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि: ‘कुम्भवत् कर्णौ यस्य सः’; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• महातेजाः: of great splendour/energy
• महातेजाः: विशेषण (Qualifier of Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि: ‘महत्तेजो यस्य सः’; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• शक्रप्रतिबलः: equal to Indra in strength
• शक्रप्रतिबलः: विशेषण (Qualifier of Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शक्र (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रतिबल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: ‘शक्रेण प्रतिबलः’ (equal in strength to Indra); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• युधि: in battle
• युधि: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Sphere)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युध्/युधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (as noun ‘yudh’), सप्तमी, एकवचन; अव्ययीभाववत् प्रयोग (locative of sphere)

Context

Then the Rakshasa (Vibheeshana) having heard that Rama of unwearied action would save him proceeded to speak out about the strength of Ravana.

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāma
• Rāvaṇa (Daśagrīva)
• Brahmā (Svayaṃbhū)
• Gandharvas
• Uraga (serpents)
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Truthful disclosure even when daunting: dharma in counsel requires stating hard facts accurately, enabling righteous strategy rather than false confidence.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa begins detailing why Rāvaṇa is formidable—protected by a boon that limits who can kill him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Candor and loyalty—Vibhīṣaṇa prioritizes truth and the rightful cause over fear of speaking about the enemy’s advantages.