Shloka 6.114.104

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

Devanagari script

शकटान् दारुरूपाणिअग्नीनवैयाजकांस्तथा ।।।।तथाचन्दनकाष्ठानिकाष्ठानिविविधानि च ।अगरूणिसुगधनीनिगन्धांश्चसुरभींस्तथा ।।।।मणिमुक्ताप्रवाळानिनिर्यापयतिराक्षसः ।

Transliteration

śakaṭān dārurūpāṇi agnīn vai yājakāṃs tathā |

tathā candanakāṣṭhāni kāṣṭhāni vividhāni ca |

agarūṇi sugandhāni gandhāṃś ca surabhīṃs tathā |

maṇimuktāpravāḷāni niryāpayati rākṣasaḥ ||

Translation

That rākṣasa made ready carts and choice timber, the sacred fires and the priests; sandalwood and many kinds of fuel-wood; agaru and other fragrant substances and sweet perfumes; and also gems, pearls, and corals—preparing the materials for the rites.

Context

Vibheeshana arranged to get excellent carts, fires maintained by Ravana, priests, so also sandalwood, and many kinds of wood, fragrant perfumes, sandals, sweet smelling odours, gems, pearls, and corals and proceeded with obsequies.

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• Laṅkā
• agnī (ritual fires)
• yājaka (priests)
• candana (sandalwood)
• agaru
• maṇi (gems)
• muktā (pearls)
• pravāḷa (corals)

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed as careful observance of antyeṣṭi duties: the dead must be honored with proper rites and materials, reflecting respect for social and sacred order.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa gathers the necessary resources—priests, fires, woods, perfumes, and valuables—to proceed with Rāvaṇa’s funerary ceremonies.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Thoroughness and reverence in duty: Vibhīṣaṇa ensures the rites are not neglected despite the turmoil of war.