Shloka 6.72.18

अतिकायवधश्रवणं रावणस्य लङ्कारक्षाविधानम् (Ravana’s Reaction to Atikaya’s Death and the Fortification Orders for Lanka)

Devanagari script

ततस्ससन्दीपितकोपह्निर्निशाचराणामधिपोमहाबलः ।तदेवपुत्रव्यसनंविचिन्तयन्मुहुर्मुहुश्चैवतदाव्यनिश्श्वसत् ।।।।

Transliteration

tatas sa sandīpita-kopa-vahnir niśācarāṇām adhipo mahābalaḥ | tad eva putra-vyasanaṃ vicintayan muhur muhuś caiva tadā vyaniśśvasat ||

Translation

Then the mighty lord of the night-rangers, with the fire of anger blazing within him, brooded again and again over that very calamity concerning his son, and repeatedly heaved deep sighs.

Context

Then the mighty Lord of night rangers, inflamed by wrath brooding over (his son's death) was again and again sighing.।। ityārṣēvālmīyēśrīmadrāmāyaṇēādikāvyēyuddhakāṇḍēdvipaptatitamassargaḥ ।।This is the end of the seventy second sarga of Yuddha Kanda, of the first epic the holy Ramayana composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Rākṣasas (niśācaras)
• Rāvaṇa’s son (unspecified here; contextually refers to a slain son)

FAQs

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

The verse shows how anger and grief can consume discernment; dharma emphasizes clarity and restraint so suffering does not lead to further adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa, after issuing orders, is depicted privately agonizing over his son’s disaster/death, repeatedly sighing in turmoil.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The implied virtue is equanimity (samatva) and self-governance; Rāvaṇa’s agitation illustrates its absence.