Shloka 5.27.24

त्रिजटास्वप्नवर्णनम् (Trijata’s Dream-Omens and the Rakshasis’ Reversal)

Devanagari script

रथेन खरयुक्तेन रक्तमाल्यानुलेपनः।पिपंस्तैलं हसन्नृत्यन् भ्रान्तचित्ताकुलेन्द्रियः।।5.27.24।।

Transliteration

vimānāt puṣpakād adya rāvaṇaḥ patito bhuvi |

kṛṣyamāṇaḥ striyā dṛṣṭo muṇḍaḥ kṛṣṇāmbaraḥ punaḥ ||5.27.23||

Translation

“Again, today I saw Rāvaṇa: fallen from the Puṣpaka aerial car onto the earth—shaven-headed, dressed in black, and being dragged by a woman.”

Context

"He was wearing red garlands and unguents, his body smeared with oil. He was drinking, laughing and dancing, his mind and senses perplexed. He was driving on a chariot yoked to donkeys.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Puṣpaka-vimāna
• a woman (strī)

FAQs

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

The verse underscores karmic reversal: unlawful pride and abduction lead to public humiliation. Dharma teaches that power without righteousness is unstable.

What is the narrative situation?

In Trijaṭā’s dream, Rāvaṇa loses his exalted vehicle (Puṣpaka) and is reduced to disgrace—an omen of collapse.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral clarity (viveka): Trijaṭā reads dishonor as a sign that Sītā’s truth and chastity will be vindicated.