Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 22, Shloka 29
रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः
Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply
स कल्पवृक्षप्रतिमो वसन्त इव मूर्तिमान्।श्मशानचैत्यप्रतिमो भूषितोऽपि भयङ्करः।।।।
sa kalpavṛkṣa-pratimo vasanta iva mūrtimān |
śmaśāna-caitya-pratimo bhūṣito 'pi bhayaṅkaraḥ ||
वह कल्पवृक्ष के समान, मानो वसन्त साकार हो—परन्तु श्मशान के चैत्य के समान; अलंकृत होकर भी भयावह प्रतीत होता था।
"My love for you has restrained my anger, just as a good charioteer controls the horses galloping on a wrong path.
FAQs
Outer beauty and splendour do not guarantee inner righteousness. Dharma evaluates character and conduct; adharma can be ‘adorned’ yet still remain fearsome and destructive.
The narration portrays Rāvaṇa’s imposing presence in Aśoka-vana, emphasizing a contradiction: majestic attractiveness paired with the dread of moral corruption.
Discernment (viveka): the ability to judge beyond appearances—crucial in the Ramayana’s moral world.