Shloka 3.54.24

सीताहरणोत्तरं लङ्काप्रवेशः — Sita’s Abduction and Ravana’s Entry into Lanka

Devanagari script

निर्यातयितुमिच्छामि तच्च वैरमहं रिपोः।न हि लप्स्याम्यहं निद्रामहत्वा संयुगे रिपुम्।।।।

Transliteration

niryātayitum icchāmi tacca vairam ahaṁ ripoḥ | na hi lapsyāmy ahaṁ nidrām ahatvā saṁyuge ripum ||

Translation

I desire to exact that enmity upon my foe; for I shall not find sleep until, in battle, I have slain the enemy.

Context

I want to take revenge on my foe. I shall not sleep until I kill him in a combat.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Rāma (implied as enemy)

FAQs

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

The verse illustrates how obsession with retaliation erodes inner peace (sleep). Ramayana ethics treats such fixation on हिंसा (violence) as adharma, because it is driven by ego and rage rather than justice.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa publicly commits himself to killing his enemy in battle, presenting it as a personal necessity.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Relentless determination—portrayed here as a dangerous, morally misdirected resolve.