Shloka 3.54.8

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

Devanagari script

तिमिनक्रनिकेतं तु वरुणालयमक्षयम्।।।।सरितां शरणं गत्वा समतीयाय सागरम्।

Transliteration

tataḥ priyaṃ vākyam upetya rākṣasā mahārtham aṣṭāv abhivādya rāvaṇam |

vihāya laṅkāṃ sahitāḥ pratasthire yato janasthānam alakṣyadarśanāḥ ||

Translation

Then the eight rākṣasas, having received Rāvaṇa’s pleasing words of weighty import, saluted him and departed together from Laṅkā toward Jana­sthāna, moving so as to remain unseen.

Context

Ravana soon crossed the refuge of rivers, the abode of Varuna, god of the sea, inexhaustible ocean, and the home for whales and crocodiles.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Eight rākṣasas
• Laṅkā
• Jana­sthāna

FAQs

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

The verse highlights how unethical leadership mobilizes covert action; dharma demands transparency and righteous intent, not secrecy in wrongdoing.

What is the narrative situation?

After hearing Rāvaṇa’s instructions, eight rākṣasas salute him and leave Laṅkā together, heading toward Jana­sthāna unseen.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

A negative exemplar: discipline and coordination used for adharma; the epic warns that competence without righteousness becomes harmful.