Shloka 6.73.17

इन्द्रजितः ब्रह्मास्त्र-यागः तथा वानरसेनाविध्वंसः (Indrajit’s Brahmastra Rite and the Crushing of the Vanara Host)

Devanagari script

स तुदृष्टवाविनिर्यान्तंबलेनमहातावृतम् ।राक्षसाधिपतिश्रशीमान् रावणःपुत्रमब्रवीत् ।।।।

Transliteration

tato hatāṃs tān sahasā niśamya rājā mumūha pariplutākṣaḥ | putrakṣayaṃ bhrātṛvadhaṃ ca ghoraṃ vicintya rājā vipulaṃ pradadhyau ||

Translation

Then the king, hearing suddenly that they had been slain, lost consciousness, his eyes flooded with tears. Reflecting on the dreadful loss of his son and the killing of his brother, he sank into deep and heavy thought.

Context

Ravana, the prosperous king of Rakshasas, seeing his son sallying forth surrounded by huge army spoke.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

It underscores karmic consequence: grievous violence rebounds as grief and inner collapse, reminding that adharma brings suffering even to the powerful.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa learns of severe losses in battle—his kin have been killed—and he is overwhelmed by sorrow and shock.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not virtue but a cautionary contrast: the verse highlights the fragility of pride and power when confronted with the results of wrongdoing.