Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 30, Shloka 30
शरत्प्रवेशे रामविलापः तथा सुग्रीवप्रमादे लक्ष्मणप्रेषणम्
Autumn’s Onset: Rama’s Lament and Lakshmana Sent to Sugriva
सप्तच्छदानां कुसुमोपगन्धीषट्पादबृन्दैरनुगीयमानः।मत्तद्विपानां पवनोऽनुसारीदर्पं विनेष्यन्नधिकं करोति।।।।
saptacchadānāṃ kusumopagandhī
ṣaṭpāda-bṛndair anugīyamānaḥ |
matta-dvipānāṃ pavano ’nusārī
darpaṃ vineṣyann adhikaṃ karoti ||
The wind, bearing the fragrance of saptacchada blossoms and accompanied by the humming of swarms of bees, follows the rutting elephants and, as it were, drives their pride to rise still higher.
'The wind carries the fragrance of saptachada flowers. Attracted by the fragrance, swarms of bees come humming. The pride of the elephants in rut increases.
FAQs
Dharma cautions against darpa (pride): pleasant influences can inflate arrogance, so self-mastery is needed even amid beauty and abundance.
Rāma describes autumn’s sensuous atmosphere—fragrant winds and humming bees—and how it heightens the rut and pride of elephants.
Sobriety and restraint as ideals by contrast: the verse illustrates how easily beings become driven by impulses when conditions are favourable.