Shloka 109

रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः

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

Devanagari script

सौवर्णींशिबिकांदिव्यामारोप्यक्षौमवासनम् ।।6.114.107।।रावणंराक्षसाधीशमश्रुपूर्यमुखाद्विजाः ।तूर्यघोषैश्चविविधैस्स्तुवद्भिश्चाभिनन्दितम् ।।6.114.108।।प्ताकाभिश्चचित्राभिस्सुमनोभिश्चचित्रिताम् ।उत्क्षिप्यशिबिकांतांतुविभीषणपुरोगमाः ।।6.114.109।।दक्षिणाभिमुखास्सर्वेगृह्यकाष्ठानिभेजिरे ।

Transliteration

patākābhiś ca citrābhiḥ sumanobhiś ca citritām | utkṣipya śibikāṃ tāṃ tu vibhīṣaṇapurogamāḥ | dakṣiṇābhimukhāḥ sarve gṛhya kāṣṭhāni bhejire ||

Translation

ವರ್ಣವರ್ಣದ ಧ್ವಜಪತಾಕೆಗಳೂ ಸುಮನ ಪುಷ್ಪಗಳೂ ಅಲಂಕರಿಸಿದ ಆ ಶಿಬಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ಅವರು ಎತ್ತಿದರು; ವಿಭೀಷಣನು ಮುಂಚಾಗಿ ನಿಂತು, ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ದಕ್ಷಿಣಮುಖರಾಗಿ, ಚಿತಾಕಾಷ್ಠಗಳನ್ನು ಹಿಡಿದು ಮುಂದುವರಿದರು.

Word by Word

दक्षिण-अभिमुखाःfacing south

सर्वेall

गृह्यhaving taken

काष्ठानिlogs/wood pieces

भेजिरेtook (their places)/proceeded

Context

As the dead body of Ravana was lifted up for final beatitude, panegyrists hailed him with blasts of several musical instruments and praised him with their faces bathed in tears. The golden cart was decorated with beautiful, picturesque, wonderful pictures and flags. Logs of wood were placed on the body and consecrated by sprinkling fragrant water. With Vibheeshana in the forefront, faces turned to the southern side, all proceeded.

Characters & Entities

Vibhīṣaṇa

Śibikā (bier/palanquin)

Patākā (banners/flags)

Dakṣiṇā (southern direction)

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed as orderly, rule-governed conduct (vidhi): rites are performed with correct symbols, materials, and directions.

What is the narrative situation?

The funeral procession forms: the bier is lifted, wood is carried, and the group advances toward the rite-site.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Leadership aligned with dharma—Vibhīṣaṇa guides the community through correct procedure.