Shloka 26
Śrī Rāmacandra-avatāra — Vow, Exile, Laṅkā-vijaya, and Rāma-rājya
Concise Bhāgavata Account
हा हता: स्म वयं नाथ लोकरावण रावण । कं यायाच्छरणं लङ्का त्वद्विहीना परार्दिता ॥ २६ ॥
hā hatāḥ sma vayaṁ nātha loka-rāvaṇa rāvaṇa kaṁ yāyāc charaṇaṁ laṅkā tvad-vihīnā parārditā
O my lord, O master! You epitomized trouble for others, and therefore you were called Rāvaṇa. But now that you have been defeated, we also are defeated, for without you the state of Laṅkā has been conquered by the enemy. To whom will it go for shelter?
Rāvaṇa’s wife Mandodarī and the other wives knew very well how cruel a person Rāvaṇa was. The very word “Rāvaṇa” means “one who causes crying for others.” Rāvaṇa continuously caused trouble for others, but when his sinful activities culminated in giving trouble to Sītādevī, he was killed by Lord Rāmacandra.
FAQs
This verse shows the fragility of material shelter: when the powerful protector (Rāvaṇa) is gone, even a great kingdom like Laṅkā feels helpless—implying true refuge is not ultimately found in worldly strength.
They grieve after his death, remembering him as their protector and fearing enemy attack; their words reflect the immediate social and political collapse felt when an unrighteous ruler is removed.
It cautions against building one’s security solely on people, position, or power; cultivate steadier inner refuge through dharma, devotion, and reliance on the Supreme rather than temporary supports.