Shloka 18
The Establishment of Vāmana at Kānyakubja and the Sanctification of Setu
वर्तते यद्धितार्थं वै दशग्रीवो निपातितः । गमिष्ये तदहं लंकां यत्र चासौ विभीषणः
vartate yaddhitārthaṃ vai daśagrīvo nipātitaḥ | gamiṣye tadahaṃ laṃkāṃ yatra cāsau vibhīṣaṇaḥ
Da Rāvaṇa, der Zehnhalsige, zum Wohle der Welt zu Fall gebracht wurde, werde ich nun nach Laṅkā gehen, dorthin, wo Vibhīṣaṇa ist.
Unspecified in provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses)
Concept: Actions aligned with loka-hita (welfare of the world) culminate in restoring righteous order; after removing adharma, one must establish dharmic leadership.
Application: Don’t stop at removing a problem—complete the dharmic task by building a stable, ethical replacement and supporting the righteous.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A victorious yet solemn procession moves toward Lanka’s golden ramparts, not in triumphal excess but in purposeful restoration. The sea glitters behind them; in the distance, Lanka’s towers rise like a recovered jewel, awaiting the righteous presence of Vibhishana and the reordering of the realm.","primary_figures":["Rama (implied leader)","Lakshmana","Vibhishana (awaiting)","Vanara warriors (background)"],"setting":"Coastal approach to Lanka—stone causeway over the sea, golden city walls, banners fluttering in salt wind.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sea turquoise","sunlit gold","storm-cleared blue","coral orange","obsidian black"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Rama leading on the causeway with gold-leaf halo, bow in hand; Lanka’s gilded towers rendered with heavy gold leaf; vanaras in rhythmic rows; Vibhishana shown near the gates in humble posture; rich reds/greens in textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: sweeping coastal landscape with delicate waves; the causeway as a pale ribbon; Lanka’s architecture in fine linework; figures small but expressive, emphasizing purposeful movement and calm victory.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of city walls and stylized sea; Rama and companions in iconic poses; saturated pigments and decorative motifs; emphasis on dharmic grandeur rather than violence.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative frieze with repeating lotus motifs along the sea; deep blue background with gold highlights; central Rama figure, flanked by attendants; ornate floral borders and peacocks perched on stylized ramparts."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["conch shell","sea waves","marching footfalls","temple bells swelling into silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यद्धितार्थं = यत् + हितार्थम्; तदहं = तत् + अहम्; यत्र चासौ = यत्र + च + असौ.
FAQs
It refers to the downfall/slaying of Daśagrīva—Rāvaṇa—described as an act that serves the welfare of the world by removing oppressive adharma.
Laṅkā is named as the destination, and Vibhīṣaṇa is identified as being there; the verse signals a shift in focus from Rāvaṇa’s fall to the post-war situation in Laṅkā where Vibhīṣaṇa is present.
The verse implies that removing tyranny and restoring dharma can be a necessary act for collective well-being, emphasizing responsibility in governance and the moral consequences of adharma.