Shloka 6.114.101

रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः — Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct

Devanagari script

त्वत्सत्सकाशाद्धशग्रीवस्संस्कारंविधिपूर्वकम् ।।।।क्षिप्रमर्हतिधर्मेणत्वंयशोभाग्भविष्यसि ।

Transliteration

tvatsatsakāśād daśagrīvaḥ saṃskāraṃ vidhipūrvakam |

kṣipram arhati dharmeṇa tvaṃ yaśobhāg bhaviṣyasi ||

Translation

Daśagrīva deserves, from your own hands, the due rites performed according to rule and righteousness; by doing so, you will swiftly gain honorable fame.

Context

"Ten headed Ravana being so (knower of righteousness), he deserves your performance of his last rites as per tradition and righteously You will attain fame by doing this deed."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Daśagrīva (Rāvaṇa)
• vidhi (ritual rule)
• dharma
• yaśas (fame)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes performing obligatory rites with proper procedure—even for one who has fallen in adharma—because duty and right order (vidhi) are upheld beyond personal judgment.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma encourages Vibhīṣaṇa to conduct Rāvaṇa’s funeral rites properly and assures him that such righteous action brings lasting honor.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vibhīṣaṇa’s potential for dharmic leadership: acting rightly for family and society, guided by propriety rather than bitterness.