Shloka 4.30.49
शरत्प्रवेशे रामविलापः तथा सुग्रीवप्रमादे लक्ष्मणप्रेषणम् (Autumn’s Onset: Rama’s Lament and Lakshmana Sent to Sugriva)
प्रकीर्णहंसाकुलमेखलानांप्रबुद्धपद्मोत्पलमालिनीनाम्।वाप्युत्तमानामधिकाऽद्य लक्ष्मीर्वराङ्गनानामिव भूषितानाम्।।
prakīrṇahaṃsākulamekhalānāṃ prabuddhapadmotpalamālinīnām |
vāpyuttamānām adhikā ’dya lakṣmīḥ varāṅganānām iva bhūṣitānām ||
Today the beauty of the finest ponds is heightened—swans scattered like girdles, and awakened lotuses and lilies like garlands—as though they were noble women adorned.
'Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth (also of autumn) appears decorated with deep wells like an excellent lady with swans as girdles and blooming lotuses and lilies as garlands.
Dharma honours auspicious order and stewardship: beauty is portrayed as the result of harmony and proper flourishing, implying that right living nurtures ‘śrī’ (well-being) in one’s surroundings.
The description continues with autumnal ponds at their most splendid, contributing to the reflective mood before Rama speaks of his grief.
Saṃrakṣaṇa (care): valuing and preserving what is wholesome and beautiful, rather than exploiting it.