Shloka 123
रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः
Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct
ददौ च पावकंतस्यविधियुक्तंविभीषणः ।स्नात्वाचैवार्द्रवस्त्रेणतिलान्दूर्वाभिमिश्रितान् ।।6.114.121।।उदकेन च सम्मिश्रान्प्रदायविधिपूर्वकम् ।प्रदायचोदकंतस्मैमूर्ध्नाचैनंनमस्य च ।।6.114.122।।ताःस्त्रियोऽनुनयामाससान्तमुक्त्वापुनःपुनः ।गम्यतामितितास्सर्वाविविशुर्नगरीतदा ।।6.114.123।।
tāḥ striyo 'nunayāmāsa sāntvam uktvā punaḥ punaḥ | gamyatām iti tās sarvā viviśur nagarīṃ tadā ||
അവൻ വീണ്ടും വീണ്ടും സാന്ത്വനവചനങ്ങൾ പറഞ്ഞു ആ സ്ത്രീകളെ ആശ്വസിപ്പിച്ചു; “തിരിച്ചു പോകുവിൻ” എന്നു പറഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ അവർ എല്ലാവരും അപ്പോൾ നഗരത്തിലേക്ക് പ്രവേശിച്ചു.
In accordance with tradition, Vibheeshana set fire. He bathed himself and with wet clothes offered in a wet cloth, holding kusa grass a mixture of sesame seeds and water to Ravana. He prostrated to Ravana and offered his prayers with folded palms. Then he comforted the wives of Ravana and all of them to return to Lanka.
FAQs
Dharma includes compassionate governance and responsible speech: comforting the vulnerable and restoring them to safety and social order.
After completing key funeral actions, Vibhīṣaṇa consoles the bereaved women and directs them back into Laṅkā.
Gentleness (mārdava) and protective leadership: he stabilizes the community through consoling counsel.