Shloka 6.32.4

सीताविलापः (Sītā’s Lament over the Illusory Head and Bow)

Devanagari script

सकामाभवकैकेयीहतोऽयंकुलनन्दनः ।कुलमुत्सादितंसर्वंत्वयाकलहशीलया ।।6.32.4।।

Transliteration

antardhānaṃ tu tac chīrṣaṃ tac ca kārmukam uttamam | jagāma rāvaṇasyaiva niryāṇa-samanantaram ||6.32.40||

Translation

But as soon as Rāvaṇa had departed, that head and that excellent bow vanished from sight.

Context

"O Kaikeyi! Your desire is fulfilled with the killing of the delight of the race. You, who are given to creating quarrel have ruined the race."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• head (śīrṣa)
• bow (kārmuka)

FAQs

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

The verse points to the instability of power grounded in illusion: what seems formidable can vanish. Dharma counsels reliance on truth and right conduct, not on deceptive appearances.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rāvaṇa leaves, a previously present head and an excellent bow disappear immediately, suggesting a supernatural or illusory element in the scene.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment (viveka): the implied lesson is to distinguish reality from display, especially in matters of conflict and power.