Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 78, Shloka 7
अष्टसप्ततितमः सर्गः — Śatrughna’s Fury and Bharata’s Restraint
Mantharā Episode
मेखलादामभिश्चित्रैरन्यैश्च शुभभूषणैः।बभासे बहुभिर्बद्धा रज्जुबद्धेव वानरी।।।।
mekhalādāmabhiś citrair anyaiś ca śubhabhūṣaṇaiḥ |
babhāse bahubhir baddhā rajjubaddheva vānarī ||
ਰੰਗ-ਬਿਰੰਗੀਆਂ ਮੇਖਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਦਾਮਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰ ਸ਼ੁਭ ਗਹਿਣਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਬਹੁਤ ਬੰਨੀ ਹੋਈ ਉਹ, ਰੱਸਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਬੰਨੀ ਵਾਨਰੀ ਵਾਂਗ ਚਮਕਦੀ ਦਿਸੀ।
Tied with colourful girdle strings and wearing many other auspicious ornaments, shelooked like a female monkey tied with a rope.
FAQs
The simile warns against vanity and moral disorder: when one is ‘bound’ by desire and deceit, dignity is lost despite ornamentation—dharma requires self-restraint and truthfulness.
A vivid poetic comparison portrays Mantharā’s appearance, preparing the reader for the hostile reception she will face.
Self-control (dama): the implied contrast is between being bound by impulses versus living under dharma.