Shloka 25
लड़कां प्रवेशयामासुस्तं रथं वाजिनस्तदा । ददर्श रावणस्तं च रथं पुत्रविनाकृतम्,उस समय घोड़ोंने उस ही खाली रथको लंकापुरीमें पहुँचाया। रावणने देखा, मेरे पुत्रका रथ उसके बिना ही लौट आया है। तब पुत्रको मारा गया जान भयके मारे रावणका मन उदभ्रान्त हो उठा। वह शोक और मोहसे आतुर होकर विदेहनन्दिनी सीताको मार डालनेके लिये उद्यत हो गया
laṅkāṃ praveśayāmāsus taṃ rathaṃ vājinas tadā | dadarśa rāvaṇas taṃ ca rathaṃ putra-vinākṛtam ||
Then the horses brought that chariot into Laṅkā—empty. Rāvaṇa saw it returning without his son. Concluding in fear that his son had been slain, his mind became unsteady; overwhelmed by grief and delusion, he prepared to kill Sītā, the princess of Videha.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates how fear, grief, and delusion can overthrow discernment and push a person—especially a ruler—toward an unjust act. Ethical restraint (dharma) is tested most severely in moments of loss; harming an innocent out of panic is portrayed as adharma.
The horses bring a chariot back into Laṅkā without its rider. Seeing it empty, Rāvaṇa infers that his son has been killed. Shaken by fear and overcome by sorrow, he becomes mentally unbalanced and, in that state, resolves to kill Sītā.