Shloka 1
रावण-सारथि-संवादः
Ravana and the Charioteer: Counsel, Omens, and Battlefield Conduct
सतुमोहात्सुसङ्क्रुद्धःकृतान्तबलचोदितः ।क्रोधसंरक्तनयनोरावणंसूतमब्रवीत् ।।।।
sa tu mohāt susaṅkruddhaḥ kṛtānta-bala-coditaḥ | krodha-saṃrakta-nayano rāvaṇaḥ sūtam abravīt ||
Doch Rāvaṇa, von Verblendung erfasst und heftig erzürnt, vom Drang des Schicksals getrieben, die Augen vor Zorn gerötet, sprach zu seinem Wagenlenker.
Enraged out of delusion, by force of destiny, Ravana's eyes turned red in anger and spoke to his charioteer.
FAQs
The verse highlights how adharma is sustained by moha (delusion) and krodha (anger): when inner clarity is lost, a person becomes ‘driven’ rather than self-governing—contrary to dharmic restraint.
After intense fighting, Rāvaṇa, overwhelmed by delusion and rage, addresses his charioteer, setting up a counsel-and-rebuke exchange.
By contrast (implicitly), the virtue of self-control: Rāvaṇa’s reddened eyes exemplify the vice of anger overpowering discernment.