Shloka 6.114.67

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

Devanagari script

कथं च नामतेराजन् लोकानाक्रम्यतेजसा ।।।।नारीचौर्यमिदंक्षुद्रंकृतंशौण्डीर्यमानिना ।

Transliteration

kathaṃ ca nāma te rājan lokān ākramya tejasā |

nārīcauryam idaṃ kṣudraṃ kṛtaṃ śauṇḍīryamāninā |

Translation

O king, how could you—who overran the worlds by your splendor—commit this petty deed of “woman-stealing,” all while priding yourself on heroism?

Context

"King! You have invaded the world by your brilliance and were proud of your heroism. How did you do this mean act of abducting a woman?"

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

True valor is aligned with maryādā (moral boundaries); abusing power to abduct a woman is condemned as base and adharmic.

What is the narrative situation?

The speaker rebukes Rāvaṇa, contrasting his reputation for might with the disgraceful act that triggered the war.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kṣātra-maryādā (honorable warrior conduct): courage must be governed by restraint and righteousness.