Shloka 53
रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः
Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct
देवासुरनृकन्यानामाहर्तारंततस्ततः ।।।।शत्रुस्त्रीशोकदातारं नेतारं स्वजनस्य च ।
devāsuranṛkanyānām āhartāraṃ tatas tataḥ | śatrustrīśokadātāraṃ netāraṃ svajanasya ca ||
Celui qui enlevait, de lieu en lieu, les jeunes filles des devas, des asuras et des hommes ; qui semait la douleur parmi les femmes de ses ennemis ; et pourtant conduisait les siens.
"Brought by force virgin girls of Devas, suras and human beings from here and there forcibly and caused the enemy women to mourn;"
FAQs
The violation of others’ dignity—especially through abduction—stands as adharma and inevitably generates grief and retaliation; Satya manifests as consequence.
In mourning, Mandodarī recounts Rāvaṇa’s actions that harmed many families, implicitly pointing to the roots of the war’s tragedy.
Respect for boundaries (maryādā) is emphasized by contrast: Dharma requires honoring others’ autonomy and social order.