Shloka 112
रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः
Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct
रावणंप्रयतेदेशेस्थाप्यतेभृशदुःखिताः ।।।।चितांचन्दनकाष्ठैश्चपद्मकोशीसंवृताम् ।ब्राह्म्यासम्वर्तयामासूराङ्कवास्तरणावृताम् ।।।।वर्ततेवेदविहितोराज्ञोवैपश्चिमःक्रतुः ।
rāvaṇaṃ prayate deśe sthāpya te bhṛśaduḥkhitāḥ | citāṃ candanakāṣṭhaiś ca padmakauśīsaṃvṛtām || brāhmyā saṃvartayāmāsūr āṅkavāstaraṇāvṛtām | vartate vedavihito rājño vai paścimaḥ kratuḥ ||
ครั้นวางทศกัณฐ์ไว้ ณ สถานที่อันชำระให้บริสุทธิ์ตามพิธีแล้ว ผู้คนทั้งหลายผู้โศกเศร้ายิ่งนักได้จัดเชิงตะกอนด้วยไม้จันทน์และไม้ปัทมกะ ปูคลุมด้วยหญ้าศักดิ์สิทธิ์และผืนผ้าปูรอง ครั้นนั้นพิธีกรรมสุดท้ายของพระราชาอันพระเวทบัญญัติไว้ก็ได้ดำเนินไป
As they advanced forth with Ravana's body, they placed it in a consecrated place. All were highly afflicted with grief. Logs of sandal wood, blocks of Padmaka wood and finally fragrant root of Usira plant, and Brahmya grass were placed on the body. It was covered with the skin of antelope. The last rites of the king were carried out with vedic rites.
FAQs
Dharma is adherence to prescribed sacred duty (veda-vihita): even in grief, rites must be performed correctly and respectfully.
Rāvaṇa’s body is placed in the consecrated area; the pyre is assembled with specific ritual materials, and the last rites are conducted.
Ritual integrity and compassion—maintaining dignity for the deceased and stability for the community.