Shloka 8
अष्टादशः सर्गः (Sarga 18): रावणस्य प्रमदावनप्रवेशः
Ravana’s entry into the women’s grove
ईहामृगैश्च विविधैर्जुष्टां दृष्टिमनोहरैः।वीधीः संप्रेक्षमाणश्च मणिकाञ्चनतोरणाः।।5.18.8।।नानामृगगणाकीर्णां फलैः प्रपतितैर्वृताम्।अशोकवनिकामेव प्राविशत्संततद्रुमाम्।।5.18.9।।
īhāmṛgaiś ca vividhair juṣṭāṃ dṛṣṭimanoharaiḥ |
vīthīḥ saṃprekṣamāṇaś ca maṇikāñcanatoraṇāḥ ||5.18.8||
nānāmṛgagaṇākīrṇāṃ phalaiḥ prapatitair vṛtām |
aśokavanikām eva prāviśat santatadrumām ||5.18.9||
Während er die anmutigen Wege und die Torbögen betrachtete, mit Edelsteinen und Gold geschmückt, betrat er den Aśoka-Hain — dicht und zusammenhängend von Bäumen, erfüllt von vielen Herden verschiedener Tiere und bedeckt von Früchten, die von den Zweigen gefallen waren.
Adorned with all ornaments and glowing with excellent splendour he went through thepath filled with trees flourishing with all kinds of flowers and fruits.
FAQs
The verse frames the approach to a dharma-violating act within a splendid setting, reminding that ethical judgment concerns intention and action, not grandeur.
Rāvaṇa proceeds along ornate pathways and enters the Aśoka grove where Sītā is held.
Indirectly, vigilance and discernment—since the scene prepares for Sītā’s steadfast dharma amid threatening circumstances.