Shloka 99
रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः
Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct
शतक्रतुमुखैर्वीरैःश्रूयते न पराजितः ।।।।महात्माबलसम्पन्नोरावणोलोकरावणः ।
śatakratumukhair vīraiḥ śrūyate na parājitaḥ |
mahātmā balasampanno rāvaṇo lokarāvaṇaḥ ||
On dit que, même face à des héros menés par Śatakratu (Indra), il ne fut pas vaincu. Grand d’âme et plein de force était Rāvaṇa, fléau du monde.
"Though he is richly endowed with prowess, he is a tyranny to the world, who has performed a hundred sacrifices (like Indra) and never got defeated, I heard."
FAQs
The verse distinguishes capability from righteousness: immense power and fame do not equal dharma. When strength serves oppression, it becomes ‘loka-rāvaṇa’—a cause of suffering.
Rāma continues characterizing Rāvaṇa: formidable and reputedly unconquered, yet harmful to the world.
Rāma’s ethical discernment—he evaluates greatness by impact on the world, not by mere might.