Shloka 3.46.36
रावणस्य परिव्राजकवेषेण सीतासमीपगमनम् (Ravana Approaches Sita Disguised as a Mendicant)
निमन्त्र्यमाणः प्रतिपूर्णभाषिणीं नरेन्द्रपत्नीं प्रसमीक्ष्य मैथिलीम्।प्रसह्य तस्याहरणे धृतं मनः समर्पयत्स्वात्मवधाय रावणः।।।।
tām āsasāda atibalo bhrātṛbhyāṃ rahitāṃ vane |
rahitāṃ candrasūryābhyāṃ sandhyām iva mahattamaḥ ||
The exceedingly mighty (Rāvaṇa) came upon her in the forest when she was bereft of the two brothers—like dense darkness enveloping twilight when both the sun and the moon are absent.
Ravana was observing the princess from Mithila, wife of a king inviting him and speaking to him in cordial manner. Looking at her, he resolved to abduct her forcibly, inviting his own death.
The verse highlights how adharma exploits isolation and vulnerability; dharma therefore includes protection of the vulnerable and restraint from predatory opportunism.
With Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa absent, Rāvaṇa closes in on Sītā, setting the stage for deception and abduction.
By contrast (through the darkness simile), the virtue implied is guardianship and responsibility—what the brothers normally provide—showing why protection is a dharmic duty.