Shloka 106

रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः

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

Devanagari script

आजगाममुहूर्तेनराक्षसैःपरिवारितः ।।।।ततोमाल्यवतासार्थंक्रियामेवचकारसः ।

Transliteration

ājagāma muhūrtena rākṣasaiḥ parivāritaḥ | tataḥ mālyavatā sārdhaṃ kriyām eva cakāra saḥ ||

Translation

അൽപസമയത്തിനകം രാക്ഷസന്മാർ ചുറ്റിനിന്നിരിക്കെ അവൻ മടങ്ങിവന്നു; പിന്നെ മാല്യവാനോടൊപ്പം ചേർന്ന് നിർദ്ദേശിക്കപ്പെട്ട കർമവിധി നിർവഹിക്കാൻ തുടങ്ങി.

Word by Word

आजगामcame; arrived

मुहूर्तेनin a short time

राक्षसैःby/with rākṣasas

परिवारितःsurrounded; accompanied

ततःthen

माल्यवताwith Mālyavat

सार्धम्together with

क्रियाम्the rite; the act (funeral procedure)

एवindeed; just

चकारdid; performed

सःhe

Context

Surrounded by Rakshasas, in a short time he returned with Malyavan (Maternal uncle of Ravana) and Vibheeshana initiated the task.

Characters & Entities

Rākṣasas

Mālyavān

FAQs

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

Even amid enmity and war, one must not abandon prescribed duty (kriyā)—especially the dignified performance of necessary rites and social obligations.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rāvaṇa’s fall, preparations begin for the formal rites; the concerned party returns quickly with Mālyavān and initiates the required proceedings.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Promptness and responsibility in upholding duty (kārya-niṣṭhā), ensuring rites are begun without delay.