Shloka 6.114.91

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

Devanagari script

एतस्मिन्नन्तरेरामोविभीषणमुवाच ह ।।।।संस्कारःक्रियतांभ्रातुःस्त्रीगणःपरिसान्त्व्यताम् ।

Transliteration

etasminn antare rāmo vibhīṣaṇam uvāca ha |

saṁskāraḥ kriyatāṁ bhrātuḥ strīgaṇaḥ parisāntvyatām ||

Translation

Meanwhile, Rāma said to Vibhīṣaṇa: “Let the funeral rites for your brother be performed, and let the women be comforted and reassured.”

Context

Thereafter, Rama spoke to Vibheeshana like this." Let the obsequies be carried out and all the women comforted."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa (as ‘brother’ to Vibhīṣaṇa)
• saṁskāra (funeral rites)
• strī-gaṇa (women/queens)

FAQs

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

Even a fallen enemy deserves proper rites; Dharma and Satya uphold dignity, social order, and compassion beyond hatred.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rāvaṇa’s death, Rāma instructs Vibhīṣaṇa to perform the brother’s last rites and console the bereaved women.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s magnanimity and adherence to rājadharma—victory does not cancel humane duty.