Shloka 99
शतक्रतुमुखैर्वीरैःश्रूयते न पराजितः ।।।।महात्माबलसम्पन्नोरावणोलोकरावणः ।
śatakratumukhair vīraiḥ śrūyate na parājitaḥ |
mahātmā balasampanno rāvaṇo lokarāvaṇaḥ ||
कहा जाता है कि शतक्रतु (इन्द्र) आदि वीरों द्वारा भी वह पराजित नहीं हुआ। महानात्मा और बलसम्पन्न रावण था, पर लोकों को रुलाने वाला भी।
"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.