Shloka 6.114.34
रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः — Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct
हाराजन् सुकुमारंतेसुभ्रुसुत्वक्समुन्नसम् ।।।।कान्तिश्रीद्युतिभिस्तुल्यमिन्दुपद्मदिवाकरैः ।किरीटकूटोज्ज्वलितंताम्रास्यंदीप्तकुण्डलम् ।।।।मदव्याकुललोलाक्षंभूत्वायत्पानभूमिषु ।विविधस्रग्धरंचारुवल्गुस्मितकथंशुभम् ।।।।तदेवाद्यतवैवंहिवक्त्रं न भ्राजतेप्रभो ।रामसायकनिर्भिन्नंरक्तंरुधिरविस्रवैः ।।।।वीशीर्णमेदोमस्तिष्कंरूक्षस्यन्दनरेणुभिः ।
hā rājan sukumāraṃ te subhrū sutvak-samunnasam |
kāntiśrī-dyutibhis tulyam indu-padm-divākaraiḥ ||
kirīṭakūṭojjvalitaṃ tāmrāsyaṃ dīpta-kuṇḍalam |
madavyākula-lolākṣaṃ bhūtvā yat pāna-bhūmiṣu ||
vividha-sragdharaṃ cāru valgu-smita-kathaṃ śubham |
tad evādya tavaivaṃ hi vaktraṃ na bhrājate prabho ||
rāma-sāyaka-nirbhinnaṃ raktaṃ rudhira-visravaiḥ |
vīśīrṇa-medo-mastiṣkaṃ rūkṣa-syandana-reṇubhiḥ ||
Alas, O king—my lord! That very face of yours, once so tender—adorned with lovely brows, smooth skin, and a prominent nose; radiant in beauty and splendor like the moon, the lotus, and the sun; shining beneath a glittering crown, with coppery lips and blazing earrings; with eyes that used to roll in intoxication in the drinking halls, and with a charming, auspicious mouth that spoke with graceful smiles—today does not shine at all. For it is pierced by Rama’s arrows, smeared with blood as it streams forth; its fat and brain are scattered, and it is fouled by the dust raised by the chariots.
"Oh King, My Lord! Your shiny eyes with delicate eyebrows, which used to be shiny and delicate; your prominent nose; brilliant skin resembling moon in pleasantness, lotus in beauty, and Sun in radiance; your illuminating crown, your shining crown with gems like the peaks of mountains; your coppery lips, glowing earrings, rolling eyes were pleasing earlier in the drinking parlours through inebriety, and your auspicious mouth having been indulged in pleasing talk. Today you are pierced by Rama's arrow and shattered with blood flowing, marrow of brain scattered, soiled by dust, dirtied and without any shine."
Mandodari’s lament shows the ethical consequence of adharma: Ravana’s beauty, power, and royal splendor cannot protect him from the results of unrighteous action. Dharma asserts moral causality—harmful choices culminate in downfall, even for a mighty king.
Satya appears as unflinching realism: Mandodari speaks the truth of impermanence and the body’s fragility. The verse contrasts past glamour with present ruin, underscoring that truth overrides illusion, pride, and intoxication.