Shloka 5.22.25
रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः (Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply)
चलाग्रमकुटप्रांशुश्चित्रमाल्यानुलेपनः।रक्तमाल्याम्बरधर तत्सङ्गदविभूषणः।।।।
calāgramakuṭaprāṁśuś citramālyānulepanaḥ | raktamālyāmbaradharaḥ tatsaṅgadavibhūṣaṇaḥ ||
He looked tall beneath a wavering crown, adorned with splendid garlands and unguents; he wore red garlands and garments, and shone with bright armlets.
He appeared taller with an unsteady crown. He was wearing wonderful red flower garlands and clothes and was smeared with unguents, shining in ornamental armlets.
Adornment and status cannot substitute for dharma; ethical worth is measured by conduct, not display.
The poet catalogs Rāvaṇa’s regal ornaments and attire as part of the scene following Sītā’s defiance.
Negative exemplar: vanity and indulgence are shown as companions to adharma, setting up moral contrast with Sītā’s austerity.