Shloka 18
अष्टादशः सर्गः (Sarga 18): रावणस्य प्रमदावनप्रवेशः
Ravana’s entry into the women’s grove
व्याविद्धहारकेयूराः समामृदितवर्णकाः।समागळितकेशान्तास्सस्वेदवदनास्तथा।।5.18.16।।घूर्णन्त्यो मदशेषेण निद्रया च शुभाननाः।स्वेदक्लिष्टाङ्गकुसुमास्सुमाल्याकुलमूर्धजाः।।5.18.17।।प्रयान्तं नैऋतपतिं नार्यो मदिरलोचनाः।बहुमानाच्च कामाच्च प्रिया भार्यास्तमन्वयुः।।5.18.18।।
prayāntaṁ naiṛta-patiṁ nāryo madira-locanāḥ |
bahumānāc ca kāmāc ca priyā bhāryās tam anvayuḥ ||5.18.18||
As the lord of the rākṣasas went forward, the dear wives—eyes made heavy with drink—followed him, driven both by esteem and by desire.
Their husband, powerful Ravana under the control of passion looking dull, absorbed in the thoughts of Sita walked slowly as though counting his steps.
FAQs
It shows how kāma (desire) can bind followers to a leader; dharma requires that loyalty be guided by truth and righteousness, not merely passion or prestige.
Rāvaṇa proceeds onward and his wives follow him, motivated by admiration and desire.
The implied virtue is discernment in devotion: respect should be aligned with right action, not with adharma.