Shloka 6.114.54

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

Devanagari script

लङ्काद्वीपस्यगोप्तारंकर्तारंभीमकर्मणाम् ।।।।अस्माकंकामभोगानांदातारंरथिनांवरम् ।

Transliteration

laṅkādvīpasya goptāraṃ kartāraṃ bhīmakarmaṇām | asmākaṃ kāmabhogānāṃ dātāraṃ rathināṃ varam ||

Translation

Protector of the island of Laṅkā, doer of dreadful deeds; giver to us of pleasures—foremost among chariot-warriors.

Context

"In the island of Lanka, he provided for his own sexual pleasures in a concealing manner. He was the foremost among those providers of sensual pleasures."

Characters & Entities

• Laṅkā
• Rāvaṇa
• Rathins (chariot-warriors)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the tension between kāma (pleasure) and Dharma: when pleasure and fearsome acts dominate rulership, stability collapses despite material provision.

What is the narrative situation?

Mandodarī praises Rāvaṇa’s worldly capacities—guarding Laṅkā, martial excellence, providing luxury—while lamenting that all of it has ended in death.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Balanced kingship is implicitly emphasized: true royal virtue integrates protection with righteousness, not merely power and indulgence.