Shloka 59
पुष्पकविमानवर्णनम्
Description of the Pushpaka Vimana and Ravana’s Inner Palace
अत्यर्थं सक्तमनसो रावणे ता वरस्त्रियः।अस्वतन्त्राः सपत्नीनां प्रियमेवाऽचरंस्तदा।।5.9.59।।
atyarthaṃ saktamanaso rāvaṇe tā varastriyaḥ | asvatantrāḥ sapatnīnām priyam evācaran tadā || 5.9.59 ||
Jene edlen Frauen, deren Sinn übermäßig an Rāvaṇa hing und die ohne eigene Freiheit waren, verhielten sich damals nur so, wie es ihren Mitgattinnen gefiel.
Even though the beautiful wives (should have been angry with their co-wives for smelling their mouths) they behaved pleasingly, having no freedom to act with Ravana
FAQs
Dharma requires inner freedom and right attachment; the verse shows how excessive dependence on an adharmic ruler erodes autonomy and truthful self-directed conduct (satya in action).
Hanumān observes the social-psychological condition in Ravana’s harem: rivalry exists, but the women’s agency is constrained and their behavior is shaped by attachment and fear.
The implied virtue is svātantrya (moral autonomy) and integrity—qualities contrasted with the women’s lack of freedom under Ravana’s dominance.