Shloka 15
अष्टादशः सर्गः (Sarga 18): रावणस्य प्रमदावनप्रवेशः
Ravana’s entry into the women’s grove
निद्रामदपरीताक्ष्यो रावणस्योत्तमाः स्त्रियः।अनुजग्मुः पतिं वीरं घनं विद्युल्लता इव।।5.18.15।।
nidrā-mada-parītākṣyo rāvaṇasyottamāḥ striyaḥ |
anujagmuḥ patiṁ vīraṁ ghanaṁ vidyul-latā iva ||5.18.15||
ராவணனுடைய சிறந்த மகளிர், நித்திரையும் மதமும் சூழ்ந்த கனத்த கண்களுடன், தம் வீர கணவரைத் தொடர்ந்து சென்றனர்—கரும்மேகத்தைத் தொடர்ந்து மின்னல் கொடிகள் செல்லும் போல।
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 left-over 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.
FAQs
The imagery warns how intoxication and attachment can sweep people into following harmful leadership; dharma requires wakeful discernment rather than dazzled compliance.
As Rāvaṇa advances, his principal wives accompany him, still affected by sleep and drink.
The contrasted virtue is vigilance (apramāda): the epic often upholds steady awareness as necessary for truthful, dharmic action.