Shloka 16

अष्टादशः सर्गः (Sarga 18): रावणस्य प्रमदावनप्रवेशः

Ravana’s entry into the women’s grove

Devanagari script

व्याविद्धहारकेयूराः समामृदितवर्णकाः।समागळितकेशान्तास्सस्वेदवदनास्तथा।।5.18.16।।घूर्णन्त्यो मदशेषेण निद्रया च शुभाननाः।स्वेदक्लिष्टाङ्गकुसुमास्सुमाल्याकुलमूर्धजाः।।5.18.17।।प्रयान्तं नैऋतपतिं नार्यो मदिरलोचनाः।बहुमानाच्च कामाच्च प्रिया भार्यास्तमन्वयुः।।5.18.18।।

Transliteration

vyāviddha-hāra-keyūrāḥ samāmṛdita-varṇakāḥ |

samāgaḷita-keśāntāḥ sa-sveda-vadanās tathā ||5.18.16||

Translation

അവരുടെ ഹാരങ്ങളും കെയൂരങ്ങളും അസ്ഥിരമായി കുലുങ്ങിയിരുന്നു; അങ്കരാഗം മാഞ്ഞുകലർന്നിരുന്നു; മുടിയുടെ അറ്റങ്ങൾ അഴിഞ്ഞിരുന്നു; മുഖങ്ങളും വിയർപ്പിൽ നനഞ്ഞിരുന്നു।

Word by Word

• vyāviddha-hāra-keyūrāḥ: with necklaces and armlets disordered
• vyāviddha-hāra-keyūrāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vyāviddha (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + hāra (प्रातिपदिक) + keyūra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nom/1st), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः: 'vyāviddhau hāra-keyūrau yāsām' = whose necklaces and armlets are disarrayed; विशेषणम् (of nāryaḥ/striyaḥ implied)

• samāmṛdita-varṇakāḥ: with smeared cosmetics/unguents
• samāmṛdita-varṇakāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samāmṛdita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + varṇaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः: 'samāmṛditaḥ varṇakaḥ yāsām' = whose cosmetic/unguents are smeared; विशेषणम्

• samāgaḷita-keśāntāḥ: with loosened hair
• samāgaḷita-keśāntāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samāgaḷita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + keśānta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः: 'samāgaḷitāḥ keśāntāḥ yāsām' = whose hair-ends are loosened; विशेषणम्

• sa-sveda-vadanāḥ: with sweaty faces
• sa-sveda-vadanāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्ग-सदृश) + sveda (प्रातिपदिक) + vadana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः: 'svedena saha vadanam yāsām' = whose faces are with sweat; विशेषणम्

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारवाचक (adverb: likewise/so)

Context

The necklaces and armlets (of the wives) disarrayed, the sandal paste and other unguents on the body smudged, hair hanging down their faces, the sweating damsels followed Ravana. They were dizzy with leftover intoxication and sleep and were swaying from side to side. Their dishevelled hair was loose and faces filled with sweat, their flower garlands on the body had wilted due to sweat on their limbs. The drunken wives of Ravana, actuated by their high regard and passion for him followed as he advanced with drunken eyes.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa’s wives
• armlets (keyūra)

FAQs

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

The verse portrays the disorder produced by indulgence; dharma is associated with inner order and self-governance, not merely external ornamentation.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān observes (through the narration) the women accompanying Rāvaṇa, described in a visibly disheveled state.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The implied virtue is restraint and composure; the epic often contrasts disciplined living with the chaos of passion-driven life.