Shloka 6.114.80

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

Devanagari script

प्रसुप्तइवशोकार्तांकिंमां न प्रतिभाषसे ।महावीर्यस्यदक्षस्यसम्युगेष्वपलायिनः ।।।।यातुधानस्यदौहित्रींकिंमां न प्रतिभाषसे ।

Transliteration

prasupta iva śokārtāṁ kiṁ māṁ na pratibhāṣase | mahā-vīryasya dakṣasya samyugeṣv apalāyinaḥ || yātudhānasya dauhitrīṁ kiṁ māṁ na pratibhāṣase ||

Translation

You lie as if asleep, while I am torn by grief—why do you not answer me? Why do you ignore me, the granddaughter of that mighty hero Dakṣa, unyielding in battles?

Context

"You are sleeping like this while I am stricken with grief. Why are you not replying to me? I am the granddaughter of Malyavantha, a great hero who fought with Daksha. Why are you disowning me and not answering me?"

Characters & Entities

• Mandodarī
• Rāvaṇa
• Dakṣa

FAQs

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

It highlights the truth that death silences worldly relationships; Dharma-oriented pride in lineage cannot undo mortality or past choices.

What is the narrative situation?

Mandodarī pleads for a response from the fallen Rāvaṇa, invoking her lineage to intensify the personal appeal.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Loyalty and marital attachment, expressed as insistence on dialogue even when it is no longer possible.