Shloka 6.96.18

युद्धाय रावणस्य निर्याणं तथा उत्पातदर्शनम् (Ravana’s Mobilization for War and the ظهور of Fatal Portents)

Devanagari script

हतोभर्ताहतोभ्रातायासां च चतनयोहतः ।वधेनाद्यरिपोस्तासांकरोम्यश्रुप्रमार्जनम् ।।6.96.18।।

Transliteration

hato bhartā hato bhrātā yāsāṃ ca ca tanayo hataḥ | vadhenādya ripos tāsāṃ karomy aśru-pramārjanam ||6.96.18||

Translation

“By slaying the enemy today, I shall wipe away the tears of those women whose husband is slain, whose brother is slain, and whose son too is slain,” said Rāvaṇa.

Context

"Today through the destruction of the enemy I will wipe the tears of the one whose son has been killed, whose brother has been killed."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• ripū (enemy—contextually Rāma’s side)
• bereaved women of Laṅkā

FAQs

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

It shows a common ethical error: trying to heal grief through further harm. The Ramayana’s dharma framework rejects “compassion” that is built on injustice; satya requires acknowledging one’s role in causing suffering.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa interprets Laṅkā’s mourning as a reason to intensify violence, claiming that killing the enemy will console the bereaved.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The implied virtue is true compassion (dayā) guided by righteousness—seeking restoration through dharma rather than escalating vengeance.