Shloka 117
रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः
Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct
शास्त्रादृष्टेनविधिनामहर्षिविहितेन च ।।।।तत्रमेध्यंपशुंहत्वाराक्षसेन्द्रस्यराक्षसाः ।परिस्तरणिकांराज्ञोघृताक्तांसमवेशयन् ।।।।
śāstrādṛṣṭena vidhinā maharṣivihitena ca | tatra medhyaṃ paśuṃ hatvā rākṣasendrasya rākṣasāḥ | paristaraṇikāṃ rājño ghṛtāktāṃ samaveśayan ||
Sesudah itu, menurut tata cara yang ditunjukkan oleh śāstra dan ditetapkan para maharṣi, para rākṣasa menyembelih seekor haiwan korban yang telah disucikan, lalu membentangkan bagi raja kain hamparan upacara yang disapukan ghee.
Thereafter according to tradition laid down in sastras by great Rsis, the ogres killed a cow and spread a sheet, daubed it with ghee and spread it on the body of the king of Rakshasa.
FAQs
Dharma is adherence to śāstra-based duty: even an enemy-king receives rites conducted according to authoritative tradition, reflecting fidelity to rule over personal emotion.
The rākṣasas proceed with the formal, śāstra-sanctioned steps of the obsequies for Rāvaṇa, preparing the ritual setting and materials.
Maryādā (respect for established boundaries and norms): the community maintains ritual law and order after a catastrophic war.