Shloka 3.48.9

रावणस्यात्मप्रशंसा लङ्कावर्णनं च — Ravana’s Self-Praise and the Description of Lanka

Devanagari script

निष्कम्पपत्रास्तरवो नद्यश्च स्तिमितोदकाः।भवन्ति यत्र यत्राहं तिष्ठामि विचरामि च।।।।

Transliteration

niṣkampapatrās taravo nadyaś ca stimitodakāḥ | bhavanti yatra yatrāhaṃ tiṣṭhāmi vicarāmi ca ||

Translation

Wherever I remain and wherever I roam, the trees stand with leaves unmoving, and the rivers keep their waters stilled.

Context

Wherever I stay or move about, the leaves of trees do not shake, and the waters in rivers remain still.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• trees (taravaḥ)
• rivers (nadyaḥ)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma rejects coercion and fear-based authority. The verse depicts the unethical use of terror as ‘power,’ which is contrary to righteous kingship and self-restraint.

What is the narrative situation?

Continuing his intimidation, Rāvaṇa claims that even the natural world becomes motionless in his presence, to pressure Sītā into submission.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

It emphasizes (by contrast) the need for inner steadiness: Sītā’s moral courage stands against Rāvaṇa’s attempt to rule through fear.