Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 15, Shloka 22
पञ्चदशः सर्गः — देवकृत-प्रार्थना, रावणवधोपायः, विष्णोः मानुषावतारनियोजनम्
Sarga 15: The Devas’ Petition, the Means to Slay Ravana, and Vishnu’s Commission to Incarnate as Man
ऋषयश्च ततस्तेन गन्धर्वाप्सरसस्तथा।क्रीडन्तो नन्दनवने क्रूरेण किल हिंसिता:।।1.15.22।।
ṛṣayaś ca tatas tena gandharvāpsarasas tathā |
krīḍanto nandanavane krūreṇa kila hiṃsitāḥ ||1.15.22||
ஆகவே அந்தக் கொடியவன் நந்தனவனத்தில் விளையாடிக் கொண்டிருந்த ரிஷிகளையும், அதுபோல கந்தர்வர்களையும் அப்சரஸ்களையும் கூட—என்று சொல்லப்படுகிறது—துன்புறுத்தினான்।
It is reported that a cruel rakshasa with his haughty prowess has tortured rishis, gandharvas and apsaras sporting in Nandana groves.
FAQs
Dharma protects the harmless: attacking beings in places of peace and recreation is a clear sign of adharma and moral collapse.
The gods emphasize the extent of Rāvaṇa’s cruelty—his violence reaches even celestial groves like Nandana.
The implied virtue is restraint; the ‘cruel one’ lacks self-control, making him a danger everywhere.