Shloka 6.114.36
रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः — Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct
हाराजन् सुकुमारंतेसुभ्रुसुत्वक्समुन्नसम् ।।6.114.34।।कान्तिश्रीद्युतिभिस्तुल्यमिन्दुपद्मदिवाकरैः ।किरीटकूटोज्ज्वलितंताम्रास्यंदीप्तकुण्डलम् ।।6.114.35।।मदव्याकुललोलाक्षंभूत्वायत्पानभूमिषु ।विविधस्रग्धरंचारुवल्गुस्मितकथंशुभम् ।।6.114.36।।तदेवाद्यतवैवंहिवक्त्रं न भ्राजतेप्रभो ।रामसायकनिर्भिन्नंरक्तंरुधिरविस्रवैः ।।6.114.37।।वीशीर्णमेदोमस्तिष्कंरूक्षस्यन्दनरेणुभिः ।
madavyākulalolākṣaṃ bhūtvā yatpānabhūmiṣu |
vividhasragdharaṃ cāru valgu-smita-kathaṃ śubham ||6.114.36||
O king, that face of yours—once charming and auspicious, wearing many garlands, and in drinking-halls made lively with eyes unsteady from intoxication and with gentle smiles and pleasing speech—
"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."
By contrasting Ravana’s former splendor with his fallen state, the verse underscores a dharmic theme: adharma-driven indulgence and arrogance do not endure, and unrighteous power collapses when confronted by righteous action.
The speaker states an unvarnished truth about impermanence: beauty, pleasure, and worldly glory fade, and the reality of death and consequence replaces illusion—an ethical reminder central to the Ramayana’s moral vision.