Shloka 2.78.7
अष्टसप्ततितमः सर्गः — Śatrughna’s Fury and Bharata’s Restraint (Mantharā Episode)
मेखलादामभिश्चित्रैरन्यैश्च शुभभूषणैः।बभासे बहुभिर्बद्धा रज्जुबद्धेव वानरी।।।।
mekhalādāmabhiś citrair anyaiś ca śubhabhūṣaṇaiḥ |
babhāse bahubhir baddhā rajjubaddheva vānarī ||
Bound about with many colorful girdle-strings and other auspicious ornaments, she glittered—like a female monkey tied up with ropes.
Tied with colourful girdle strings and wearing many other auspicious ornaments, shelooked like a female monkey tied with a rope.
The simile warns against vanity and moral disorder: when one is ‘bound’ by desire and deceit, dignity is lost despite ornamentation—dharma requires self-restraint and truthfulness.
A vivid poetic comparison portrays Mantharā’s appearance, preparing the reader for the hostile reception she will face.
Self-control (dama): the implied contrast is between being bound by impulses versus living under dharma.