Shloka 6.114.22

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

Devanagari script

अकस्माच्छाभिकामोऽसिसीतांराक्षसपुङ्गवः ।ऐश्वर्यस्यविनाशायदेहस्यस्वजनस्य च ।।।।

Transliteration

akasmāc chābhikāmo 'si sītāṃ rākṣasa-puṅgavaḥ | aiśvaryasya vināśāya dehasya svajanasya ca ||

Translation

O foremost among rākṣasas! All at once you were seized by desire for Sītā—bringing ruin upon your sovereignty, your very life, and your own people.

Context

"O Foremost of Rakshasas! To the destruction of your wealth, life and your own people you suddenly developed passion for Sita."

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Unchecked kāma (desire) that violates dharma destroys not only the wrongdoer but also the wider community dependent on him.

What is the narrative situation?

Mandodarī identifies the root cause of Laṅkā’s catastrophe as Rāvaṇa’s sudden, unlawful desire for Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-restraint (dama) is implied as the missing virtue; its absence is portrayed as fatal for a ruler.