Shloka 2.78.6
अष्टसप्ततितमः सर्गः — Śatrughna’s Fury and Bharata’s Restraint (Mantharā Episode)
लिप्ता चन्दनसारेण राजवस्त्राणि बिभ्रती।विविधं विविधै स्तैस्तैर्भूषणैश्च विभूषिता।।।।
liptā candanasāreṇa rājavastrāṇi bibhratī |
vividhaṃ vividhai stais tair bhūṣaṇaiś ca vibhūṣitā ||
She was anointed with sandal essence, dressed in royal garments, and ornamented in manifold ways with a variety of jewelry.
She had besmeared herself with the essence of sandal, had put on royal garments andadorned herself in many ways with every kind of ornament.
The verse underscores that dharma concerns inner integrity and truthful intention (satya), not external luxury; adornment does not equate to virtue.
The poet describes Mantharā’s elaborate appearance as she approaches, heightening the contrast between display and moral reputation.
Moral clarity: the audience is prompted to evaluate characters by their ethical impact rather than status symbols.