Shloka 5.18.32

अष्टादशः सर्गः (Sarga 18): रावणस्य प्रमदावनप्रवेशः — Ravana’s entry into the women’s grove

Devanagari script

स तामसितकेशान्तां सुश्रोणीं संहतस्त्नीम्।दिदृक्षुरसितापाङ्गामुपावर्तत रावणः।।5.18.32।।

Transliteration

bhṛśaṃ niyuktas tasyāṃ ca madanena madotkaṭaḥ |

na sa taṃ rākṣasaḥ kāmaṃ śaśākātmani gūhitum ||5.18.5||

Translation

Overpowered by passion and swollen with intoxicated ardour, that rākṣasa could not conceal within himself the desire that drove him toward her.

Context

With the desire to see Sita endowed with black hair, beautiful hips, plump breasts and dark side-glances, Ravana returned (to Ashokavana).ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē sundarakāṇḍē aṣṭādaśassargaḥ.Thus ends the eighteenth sarga of Sundarakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā (implied by tasyām)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma requires mastery over desire; unchecked kāma becomes adharma, leading to harm for self and others.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa, unable to restrain himself, proceeds with renewed intent to see Sītā in Aśokavanikā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The text foregrounds the absence of restraint (dama) in Rāvaṇa, thereby underscoring restraint as a central virtue.