Shloka 5.18.31
अष्टादशः सर्गः (Sarga 18): रावणस्य प्रमदावनप्रवेशः — Ravana’s entry into the women’s grove
स तथाप्युग्रतेजाः सन्निर्धूतस्तस्य तेजसा।पत्रगुह्यान्तरे सक्तो हनुमान् संवृतोऽभवत्।।5.18.31।।
vibudhyata yathākālaṃ rākṣasendraḥ pratāpavān |
srastamālyāmbaradharo vaidehīm anvacintayat ||5.18.4||
Waking at the customary hour, the mighty lord of the rākṣasas—his garland and garments still dishevelled—turned his mind again to Vaidehī (Sītā).
Hanuman, possessed of extraordinary energy, was taken aback at the might of Ravana. He remained hiding covered over with leaves.
The verse implicitly contrasts dharma with uncontrolled desire: a ruler’s mind should rest in self-restraint and righteousness, not in obsessive, unlawful craving for another’s wife.
After waking, Rāvaṇa—still in the aftereffects of indulgence—immediately thinks of Sītā, indicating his continuing fixation before he goes toward Aśokavanikā.
By contrast (through negation), the virtue highlighted is self-control (dama) and purity of intent—qualities Rāvaṇa lacks here.