Shloka 94
रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः
Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct
भ्रातृरूपःहिमेशत्रुरेषसर्वाहितेरतः ।।।।रावणोनार्हतेपूजांपूज्योऽपिगुरुगौरवात् ।
bhrātṛrūpaḥ hi me śatrur eṣa sarvāhitērataḥ |
rāvaṇo nārhate pūjāṃ pūjyo'pi gurugauravāt ||
“സഹോദരന്റെ രൂപം ധരിച്ചിട്ടും അവൻ എന്റെ ശത്രുവാണ്—എല്ലാവർക്കും അനർത്ഥം വരുത്തുന്നതിൽ നിരതൻ. ആ രാവണൻ ആദരത്തിന് അർഹനല്ല; മൂത്ത സഹോദരൻ സാധാരണയായി ഗുരുഗൗരവത്താൽ പൂജ്യനായാലും, അവന് ബഹുമാനം ലഭിക്കേണ്ടതല്ല.”
"This Ravana remained doing harm to all and does not deserve the respect of his elder brother, or prayers. He is an enemy in the form of brother. He does not deserve to be worshipped.
FAQs
Dharma is not merely based on biological relation; sustained harm to society can negate the ordinary claims of familial reverence. The verse highlights the tension between kula-dharma (family norms) and sarva-hita (the good of all).
Vibhīṣaṇa argues that Rāvaṇa, though an elder brother, acted as an enemy and universal menace, and therefore should not receive honor from him.
Commitment to the welfare of all over personal attachment—Vibhīṣaṇa prioritizes ethical evaluation above mere kinship.