रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः — Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct
देवासुरनृकन्यानामाहर्तारंततस्ततः ।।।।शत्रुस्त्रीशोकदातारं नेतारं स्वजनस्य च ।
devāsuranṛkanyānām āhartāraṃ tatas tataḥ | śatrustrīśokadātāraṃ netāraṃ svajanasya ca ||
He who seized, from place to place, maidens of devas, asuras, and humans; who gave grief to the women of his enemies; yet was a leader to his own people.
"Brought by force virgin girls of Devas, suras and human beings from here and there forcibly and caused the enemy women to mourn;"
The violation of others’ dignity—especially through abduction—stands as adharma and inevitably generates grief and retaliation; Satya manifests as consequence.
In mourning, Mandodarī recounts Rāvaṇa’s actions that harmed many families, implicitly pointing to the roots of the war’s tragedy.
Respect for boundaries (maryādā) is emphasized by contrast: Dharma requires honoring others’ autonomy and social order.