Shloka 109
रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः
Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct
सौवर्णींशिबिकांदिव्यामारोप्यक्षौमवासनम् ।।6.114.107।।रावणंराक्षसाधीशमश्रुपूर्यमुखाद्विजाः ।तूर्यघोषैश्चविविधैस्स्तुवद्भिश्चाभिनन्दितम् ।।6.114.108।।प्ताकाभिश्चचित्राभिस्सुमनोभिश्चचित्रिताम् ।उत्क्षिप्यशिबिकांतांतुविभीषणपुरोगमाः ।।6.114.109।।दक्षिणाभिमुखास्सर्वेगृह्यकाष्ठानिभेजिरे ।
patākābhiś ca citrābhiḥ sumanobhiś ca citritām | utkṣipya śibikāṃ tāṃ tu vibhīṣaṇapurogamāḥ | dakṣiṇābhimukhāḥ sarve gṛhya kāṣṭhāni bhejire ||
Adorned with many-colored banners and flowers, they lifted that bier; with Vibhīṣaṇa leading, all turned southward and proceeded, carrying the funeral wood.
As the dead body of Ravana was lifted up for final beatitude, panegyrists hailed him with blasts of several musical instruments and praised him with their faces bathed in tears. The golden cart was decorated with beautiful, picturesque, wonderful pictures and flags. Logs of wood were placed on the body and consecrated by sprinkling fragrant water. With Vibheeshana in the forefront, faces turned to the southern side, all proceeded.
FAQs
Dharma is expressed as orderly, rule-governed conduct (vidhi): rites are performed with correct symbols, materials, and directions.
The funeral procession forms: the bier is lifted, wood is carried, and the group advances toward the rite-site.
Leadership aligned with dharma—Vibhīṣaṇa guides the community through correct procedure.