Shloka 10
Mārkaṇḍeya’s Consolation to the King: Exempla of Rāma and the Efficacy of Allies (मार्कण्डेयाश्वासनम्)
दशग्रीवस्तु सर्वेषां श्रेष्ठो राक्षसपुड्भव: । महोत्साहो महावीरयों महासत्त्वपराक्रम:,रावणके दस मस्तक थे। वही सबमें ज्येष्ठ तथा राक्षसोंका स्वामी था। उत्साह, बल, धैर्य और पराक्रममें भी वह महान् था
Daśagrīvas tu sarveṣāṃ śreṣṭho rākṣasapuṅgavaḥ | mahotsāho mahāvīryo mahāsattvaparākramaḥ ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “Daśagrīva (Rāvaṇa) was the foremost among all, the pre-eminent leader of the Rākṣasas. He was possessed of great enterprise and energy, great heroic power, and a mighty spirit and prowess.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that extraordinary strength, courage, and initiative are morally neutral capacities: they become admirable when aligned with dharma and restraint, but perilous when fueled by ego and unrighteous aims. Great power without ethical governance can magnify harm.
Mārkaṇḍeya is describing Rāvaṇa (Daśagrīva), presenting him as the foremost among the Rākṣasas and emphasizing his exceptional energy, heroism, and prowess—setting the stage for understanding the scale of the figure involved in the broader Rāma–Rāvaṇa narrative.