Shloka 40
रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः
Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct
दृप्तामर्दनाःशूराःप्रख्यातबलपौरुषाः ।।।।अकुतश्चिद्भयानाथाममेत्यासीन्मतिर्दृढा ।
dṛptā-mardanāḥ śūrāḥ prakhyāta-bala-pauruṣāḥ |
akutaścid-bhayā nāthā mameti āsīn matir dṛḍhā ||
「我が守護者は驕れる者を打ち砕く勇士、力と雄々しき武勇で名高く、何ものをも恐れぬ」—それが私の揺るがぬ確信であった。
"Those who are capable of protecting me are warriors, as they are capable of crushing the enemies and renowned for their pride of their strength. They had no fear from any quarter. I had this conviction in my mind."
FAQs
It highlights the danger of false reliance on force; dharma teaches that protection rooted in righteousness is steadier than protection rooted in mere might.
Mandodarī recalls her former confidence in Rāvaṇa’s defenders, now shattered by the outcome of the war.
Humility born of insight: she recognizes that her certainty was misplaced.