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 ||
ആ പൗലസ്ത്യൻ (രാവണൻ) നടന്നു പോകുമ്പോൾ, വെറും നൂറോളം സ്ത്രീകൾ മാത്രമേ അവനെ അനുഗമിച്ചിരുന്നുള്ളൂ—ദേവഗന്ധർവയോഷിതകൾ അനുഗമിക്കുന്ന മഹേന്ദ്രനെപ്പോലെ.
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.