Shloka 18
The Establishment of Vāmana at Kānyakubja and the Sanctification of Setu
वर्तते यद्धितार्थं वै दशग्रीवो निपातितः । गमिष्ये तदहं लंकां यत्र चासौ विभीषणः
vartate yaddhitārthaṃ vai daśagrīvo nipātitaḥ | gamiṣye tadahaṃ laṃkāṃ yatra cāsau vibhīṣaṇaḥ
เมื่อทศกรีวะราวณะถูกปราบลงเพื่อประโยชน์เกื้อกูลแห่งโลกแล้ว บัดนี้เราจักไปยังลงกา—ยังที่ซึ่งวิภีษณะสถิตอยู่
Unspecified in provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses)
Concept: Actions aligned with loka-hita (welfare of the world) culminate in restoring righteous order; after removing adharma, one must establish dharmic leadership.
Application: Don’t stop at removing a problem—complete the dharmic task by building a stable, ethical replacement and supporting the righteous.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A victorious yet solemn procession moves toward Lanka’s golden ramparts, not in triumphal excess but in purposeful restoration. The sea glitters behind them; in the distance, Lanka’s towers rise like a recovered jewel, awaiting the righteous presence of Vibhishana and the reordering of the realm.","primary_figures":["Rama (implied leader)","Lakshmana","Vibhishana (awaiting)","Vanara warriors (background)"],"setting":"Coastal approach to Lanka—stone causeway over the sea, golden city walls, banners fluttering in salt wind.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sea turquoise","sunlit gold","storm-cleared blue","coral orange","obsidian black"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Rama leading on the causeway with gold-leaf halo, bow in hand; Lanka’s gilded towers rendered with heavy gold leaf; vanaras in rhythmic rows; Vibhishana shown near the gates in humble posture; rich reds/greens in textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: sweeping coastal landscape with delicate waves; the causeway as a pale ribbon; Lanka’s architecture in fine linework; figures small but expressive, emphasizing purposeful movement and calm victory.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of city walls and stylized sea; Rama and companions in iconic poses; saturated pigments and decorative motifs; emphasis on dharmic grandeur rather than violence.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative frieze with repeating lotus motifs along the sea; deep blue background with gold highlights; central Rama figure, flanked by attendants; ornate floral borders and peacocks perched on stylized ramparts."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["conch shell","sea waves","marching footfalls","temple bells swelling into silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यद्धितार्थं = यत् + हितार्थम्; तदहं = तत् + अहम्; यत्र चासौ = यत्र + च + असौ.
FAQs
It refers to the downfall/slaying of Daśagrīva—Rāvaṇa—described as an act that serves the welfare of the world by removing oppressive adharma.
Laṅkā is named as the destination, and Vibhīṣaṇa is identified as being there; the verse signals a shift in focus from Rāvaṇa’s fall to the post-war situation in Laṅkā where Vibhīṣaṇa is present.
The verse implies that removing tyranny and restoring dharma can be a necessary act for collective well-being, emphasizing responsibility in governance and the moral consequences of adharma.