Shloka 5.22.26

रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः (Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply)

Devanagari script

श्रोणिसूत्रेण महता मेचकेन सुसंवृतः।अमृतोत्पादनद्धेन भुजगेनेव मन्दरः।।।।

Transliteration

śroṇisūtreṇa mahatā mecakena susaṁvṛtaḥ | amṛtotpādanaddhena bhujagen eva mandaraḥ ||

Translation

Well wrapped with a great dark waistband around his hips, he looked like Mount Mandara encircled by the serpent used for churning the ocean to obtain nectar.

Context

Wrapped well with a big black thread around his hips, he appeared like mount Mandara encompassed by a black serpent at the time of churning the milk-ocean for nectar.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Mount Mandara
• serpent (Vāsuki implied)
• amṛta (nectar)
• ocean churning (samudra-manthana implied)

FAQs

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

The simile reminds that immense power can serve creation (like churning for amṛta) or destruction; dharma determines its rightful use.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration continues describing Rāvaṇa’s imposing form through grand cosmological imagery.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Implicit teaching: power should be yoked to righteous purpose; otherwise it becomes merely intimidating spectacle.