Shloka 9

विभीषणोपदेशः

Vibhishana’s Counsel to Ravana

Devanagari script

प्रमत्तेष्यभियुक्तेषुदैवेनप्रहतेषुच ।विक्रमास्तातसिध्यन्तिपरीक्ष्यविधिनाकृताः ।।।।

Transliteration

pramatteṣv abhiyukteṣu daivena prahateṣu ca |

vikramās tāta sidhyanti parīkṣya vidhinā kṛtāḥ ||

Translation

“慈父啊，若先审度形势而依正法行事，则勇武能克制疏忽之人、已被逼迫之人，以及为命运所击之人。”

Word by Word

• प्रमत्तेषु: among the careless
• प्रमत्तेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रमत्त (प्रातिपदिक; √मद्-जन्य कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (heedless)

• अभियुक्तेषु: among those who are attacked/engaged
• अभियुक्तेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभि-युक्त (प्रातिपदिक; √युज्-जन्य कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (engaged/assailed)

• दैवेन: by fate
• दैवेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• प्रहतेषु: among those struck down
• प्रहतेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-हत (प्रातिपदिक; √हन्-जन्य कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (struck down)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• विक्रमाः: acts of valor
• विक्रमाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• तात: O dear/father
• तात: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

• सिध्यन्ति: succeed
• सिध्यन्ति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सिध् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन

• परीक्ष्य: having examined
• परीक्ष्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि-ईक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund); धातु: ईक्ष्, उपसर्ग: परि-; अर्थे: 'having examined'

• विधिना: by proper method
• विधिना: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• कृताः: done/performed
• कृताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (प्रातिपदिक; √कृ-जन्य कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषणम् विक्रमाः इति

Context

"O Dear! at those who are not alert, who are attacked by the enemy, and who are struck by fate, if you examine diligently according to prescribed method and perform deeds of heroic valour you will succeed."

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• daiva (fate)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires method and discernment: even when force is used, it must be preceded by examination and governed by proper norms, not mere brutality.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa continues advising Rāvaṇa on when valor/force is effective—after assessing the opponent’s condition and acting systematically.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viveka (discernment) and procedural righteousness—success is linked to careful assessment and rule-based conduct.