रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः
Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct
अयंक्रीडासहायस्तेऽनाथेलालप्यतेजनः ।।।।न चैवमाश्वासयसिकिंवा न बहुमन्यसे ।
ayaṃ krīḍāsahāyas te'nāthe lālapyate janaḥ | na caivam āśvāsayasi kiṃ vā na bahumanyase ||
Inilah rakyat—teman permainan tuanku—kini merayu seperti orang yang tiada pelindung. Mengapa tuanku tidak menenangkan mereka? Atau mengapa tuanku tidak memandang mereka dengan penghargaan?
"O lover of wives! Your wives have come out leaving their veils from their abode to see you. See them, and how is it that you are not angry?"
It highlights the dharma of kingship: a ruler is a ‘nātha’ (protector). When leadership collapses through adharma, dependents become anātha—bereft and insecure.
Mandodarī observes the attendants and companions mourning and calling out, and she addresses Rāvaṇa’s inability to respond.
Concern for the wider community: her grief includes not only herself but also those who relied on the king.