Shloka 117

रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः

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

Devanagari script

शास्त्रादृष्टेनविधिनामहर्षिविहितेन च ।।।।तत्रमेध्यंपशुंहत्वाराक्षसेन्द्रस्यराक्षसाः ।परिस्तरणिकांराज्ञोघृताक्तांसमवेशयन् ।।।।

Transliteration

śāstrādṛṣṭena vidhinā maharṣivihitena ca | tatra medhyaṃ paśuṃ hatvā rākṣasendrasya rākṣasāḥ | paristaraṇikāṃ rājño ghṛtāktāṃ samaveśayan ||

Translation

Ensuite, selon le rite prescrit par les śāstras et établi par les grands ṛṣis, les rākṣasas immolèrent une bête sacrificielle consacrée et disposèrent pour leur roi le tissu d’étalement, oint de ghee.

Word by Word

• शास्त्रादृष्टेन: as prescribed by scripture
• शास्त्रादृष्टेन: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शास्त्र + दृष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; विधिना इति विशेषणम्; 'seen/approved by śāstra'

• विधिना: by the rite/procedure
• विधिना: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; 'by the procedure/rite'

• महर्षिविहितेन: ordained by great sages
• महर्षिविहितेन: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महर्षि + विहित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; विधिना इति विशेषणम्; 'laid down by great sages'

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक अव्यय (locative adverb)

• मेध्यम्: sacrificial (fit for offering)
• मेध्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मेध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; पशुम् इति विशेषणम्; 'fit for sacrifice'

• पशुम्: animal (victim)
• पशुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पशु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• हत्वा: having killed
• हत्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हन् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (absolutive) 'having slain'

• राक्षसेन्द्रस्य: of the rākṣasa-lord
• राक्षसेन्द्रस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• राक्षसाः: the rākṣasas
• राक्षसाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

Context

Thereafter according to tradition laid down in sastras by great Rsis, the ogres killed a cow and spread a sheet, daubed it with ghee and spread it on the body of the king of Rakshasa.

Characters & Entities

• śāstra
• maharṣi (great seers)
• rākṣasāḥ (rākṣasas)
• rākṣasendra (Rāvaṇa)
• ghṛta (ghee)

FAQs

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

Dharma is adherence to śāstra-based duty: even an enemy-king receives rites conducted according to authoritative tradition, reflecting fidelity to rule over personal emotion.

What is the narrative situation?

The rākṣasas proceed with the formal, śāstra-sanctioned steps of the obsequies for Rāvaṇa, preparing the ritual setting and materials.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Maryādā (respect for established boundaries and norms): the community maintains ritual law and order after a catastrophic war.