Shloka 6.114.89

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

Devanagari script

न तेसुविदितादेविलोकानांस्थितिरध्रुवा ।।।।दशाविभागपर्यायेराज्ञांवैचञ्चलाःश्रियः ।

Transliteration

na te suviditā devi lokānāṁ sthitir adhruvā |

daśāvibhāgapar yāye rājñāṁ vai cañcalāḥ śriyaḥ ||

Translation

O Devi, surely you know: the condition of the world is unstable. When the turns of circumstance shift, the fortunes of kings are indeed fickle.

Context

"Devi! Not that you do not know that when fortune changes in the world, dynasty changes. Fortune is not steady."

Characters & Entities

• Mandodarī
• Rāvaṇa’s queens/co-wives
• kings (rājānaḥ)
• śrī (fortune/prosperity)

FAQs

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

Satya: worldly prosperity is unstable; Dharma trains one to meet reversal with steadiness rather than despair.

What is the narrative situation?

The co-wives counsel Mandodarī, reminding her that royal fortune inevitably changes.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Wisdom and composure—offering truthful consolation instead of empty comfort.