Shloka 5.18.5

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

Devanagari script

भृशं नियुक्तस्तस्यां च मदनेन मदोत्कटः।न स तं राक्षसः कामं शशाकात्मनि गूहितुम्।।5.18.5।।

Transliteration

vṛtāṃ puṣkariṇībhiś ca nānāpuṣpopaśobhitām |

sadā madaiś ca vihagair vicitrāṃ paramādbhutām ||5.18.7||

Translation

It was encircled by lotus-ponds adorned with many kinds of flowers, and made wondrously colorful by birds ever exhilarated in their calls.

Context

The demon king who was unable to hide his great passion and control his senses was drawn towards Sita, in his state of intoxication.

Characters & Entities

• Aśokavanikā (garden)
• Puṣkariṇī (ponds)

FAQs

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

A moral contrast is set: a beautiful, harmonious environment can still be the stage for adharma; dharma depends on actions, not surroundings.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration describes the enchanting features of the grove through which Rāvaṇa is moving.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not a direct virtue of a character; rather, the text emphasizes discernment—seeing beyond beauty to the ethical reality of what is occurring there.