Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 10
अष्टादशः सर्गः (Sarga 18): रावणस्य प्रमदावनप्रवेशः
Ravana’s entry into the women’s grove
अङ्गनाशतमात्रं तु तं व्रजन्तमनुव्रजत्।महेन्द्रमिव पौलस्त्यं देवगन्धर्वयोषितः।।5.18.10।।
aṅganāśatamātraṃ tu taṃ vrajantam anuvrajat |
mahendram iva paulastyaṃ devagandharvayoṣitaḥ ||
जब वह पौलस्त्य (रावण) आगे बढ़ रहा था, तो केवल सौ स्त्रियाँ ही उसके पीछे-पीछे चलीं—जैसे देव और गन्धर्वों की स्त्रियाँ महेन्द्र (इन्द्र) के साथ चलती हैं।
Ravana, son of sage Paulasti, was followed by a hundred women, just as Indra is trailed by the females of gods and gandharvas.
FAQs
The verse invites ethical contrast: royal splendor and entourage do not equal Dharma; righteousness is measured by conduct, not display.
Rāvaṇa approaches with an entourage of women, described in a simile comparing him to Indra’s retinue.
Primarily a cautionary theme rather than a virtue: worldly grandeur can mask unrighteous intent.