Shloka 3.72.25

कबन्धमोक्षः—सुग्रीवमैत्र्युपदेशः (Kabandha’s Release and Counsel to Befriend Sugriva)

Devanagari script

वानरांश्च महाकायान्प्रेषयिष्यति राघव।।।।दिशो विचेतुं तां सीतां त्वद्वियोगेन शोचतीम्।स ज्ञास्यति वरारोहां निर्मलां रावणालये।।।।

Transliteration

tac charīraṃ kabandhasya ghṛtapiṇḍopamaṃ mahat |

medasā pacyamānasya mandaṃ dahati pāvakaḥ ||

Translation

Kabandha’s huge body—like a great lump of ghee—burned slowly, as its fat fed the fire.

Context

Sugriva will find out the lady of purity and chastity brooding over you in separation in the abode of Ravana. He can send gigantic monkeys in different directions in order to search for her.

Characters & Entities

• Kabandha
• fire (pāvaka)

FAQs

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

The verse frames cremation/fire as a purifier: the body is consumed, hinting at moral purification and release from past affliction—an ethical reminder that embodied suffering is transient.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rama and Lakshmana slay Kabandha and place him on a pyre, his body is burning, setting up his impending transformation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s dutiful compassion: he performs the act that enables Kabandha’s release, reflecting righteous action even toward a former aggressor.