Shloka 8
रावणस्यात्मप्रशंसा लङ्कावर्णनं च
Ravana’s Self-Praise and the Description of Lanka
यत्र तिष्ठाम्यहं तत्र मारुतो वाति शङ्कितः।तीव्रांशुश्शिशिरांशुश्च भयात्सम्पद्यते रविः।।।।
yatra tiṣṭhāmy ahaṃ tatra māruto vāti śaṅkitaḥ | tīvrāṃśuḥ śiśirāṃśuś ca bhayāt sampadyate raviḥ ||
Nơi nào ta đứng, ngay cả gió cũng thổi như còn ngập ngừng; và mặt trời, vì sợ ta, từ rực cháy hóa dịu mát, song vẫn theo đúng quỹ đạo đã được định.
Wherever I am, the Windgod blows with hesitation. So are the Sun and the Moon afraid of me. Afraid of me the Sun duly discharges his duties.
FAQs
The verse illustrates adharma through arrogance and intimidation—claiming dominion over cosmic order. Dharma is implied by contrast: the world runs by ṛta (right order), not by a tyrant’s ego.
Rāvaṇa is attempting to overawe Sītā with boasts of supernatural power, presenting himself as someone before whom even nature and celestial bodies yield.
Negatively, it highlights Rāvaṇa’s hubris and coercive temperament; by implication, it prepares the ground for Sītā’s steadfastness to dharma and fidelity.