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 ||
ਜਦੋਂ ਉਹ ਪੌਲਸਤ੍ਯ (ਰਾਵਣ) ਤੁਰਦਾ ਗਿਆ, ਤਾਂ ਕੇਵਲ ਸੌ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀਆਂ ਹੀ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਚੱਲੀਆਂ—ਜਿਵੇਂ ਦੇਵਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਗੰਧਰਵਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਯੋਸ਼ਿਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਮਹੇਂਦ੍ਰ (ਇੰਦਰ) ਚੱਲਦਾ ਹੋਵੇ।
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.