Shloka 115

रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः

Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct

Devanagari script

पृषदाज्येनसम्पूर्णंस्रुवंसर्वेप्रचिक्षिपुः ।।।।पादयोश्शकटंप्रादुरन्तरूर्वोरुलूखलंतदा ।

Transliteration

pṛṣadājyena sampūrṇaṃ sruvaṃ sarve pracikṣipuḥ | pādayoḥ śakaṭaṃ prādur antarūrvor ulūkhalaṃ tadā ||

Translation

ครั้นแล้วทุกคนก็รินสรวะที่เต็มด้วยนมเปรี้ยวผสมเนยใสลงบนเขา และในกาลนั้นเองได้ตั้งเกวียนไว้ที่ปลายเท้า และวางครกไม้ไว้ระหว่างต้นขา

Word by Word

पृषदाज्येनwith curd-mixed ghee

सम्पूर्णम्full

स्रुवम्ladle

सर्वेall (of them)

प्रचिक्षिपुःthey poured/placed (into)

पादयोःat the two feet

शकटम्cart

प्रादुःmanifestly / appearing

अन्तरूर्वोःbetween the thighs

उलूखलम्wooden mortar

तदाthen

Context

Then they poured a ladle full of ghee mixed with curd on his shoulders and placed a cart on his feet and a wooden mortar on his thighs.

Characters & Entities

sruva (ladle)

śakaṭa (cart)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma here is the disciplined fulfillment of prescribed rites: even amid grief and the aftermath of war, the community follows the ordered ritual procedure rather than acting lawlessly.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rāvaṇa’s death, the rākṣasas begin formal obsequial preparations, placing ritual substances and objects in the manner required for the funeral sequence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Ritual propriety and steadiness: the attendants adhere to tradition, showing restraint and respect for established norms.