Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 114, Shloka 121
रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः
Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct
ददौ च पावकंतस्यविधियुक्तंविभीषणः ।स्नात्वाचैवार्द्रवस्त्रेणतिलान्दूर्वाभिमिश्रितान् ।।।।उदकेन च सम्मिश्रान्प्रदायविधिपूर्वकम् ।प्रदायचोदकंतस्मैमूर्ध्नाचैनंनमस्य च ।।।।ताःस्त्रियोऽनुनयामाससान्तमुक्त्वापुनःपुनः ।गम्यतामितितास्सर्वाविविशुर्नगरीतदा ।।।।
dadau ca pāvakaṃ tasya vidhiyuktaṃ vibhīṣaṇaḥ | snātvā caivārdravastreṇa tilān dūrvābhimiśritān | udakena ca sammiśrān pradāya vidhipūrvakam | pradāya codakaṃ tasmai mūrdhnā cainaṃ namasya ca | tāḥ striyo 'nunayāmāsa sāntvam uktvā punaḥ punaḥ | gamyatām iti tāḥ sarvā viviśur nagarīṃ tadā ||
And Vibhīṣaṇa, in accordance with the prescribed rite, lit the funeral fire for him. Having bathed, he offered—according to rule—sesame seeds mixed with dūrvā grass and water, and then offered water as well; bowing his head, he paid reverence. He repeatedly consoled the women, saying, “Return,” and then all of them entered the city.
Then the Rakshasas along with Vibheeshana desperately, eyes dimmed with tears, covered Ravana with several clothes and decorated with garland s and sandal. They sprinkled parched grain.
FAQs
Dharma is the faithful completion of last rites and compassionate care for the bereaved; Vibhīṣaṇa unites śāstric correctness with humane consolation.
Vibhīṣaṇa conducts Rāvaṇa’s cremation rites—lighting the fire, making water and sesame offerings, saluting the dead—and then sends the grieving women back into Laṅkā.
Vibhīṣaṇa’s dharmic leadership: adherence to ritual truth (vidhi) and gentle compassion toward those in grief.