Shloka 10
रावणस्य परिव्राजकवेषेण सीतासमीपगमनम्
Ravana Approaches Sita Disguised as a Mendicant
स पापो भव्यरूपेण तृणैः कूप इवावृतः।।।।अतिष्ठत्प्रेक्ष्य वैदेहीं रामपत्निं यशस्विनीम्।
sa pāpo bhavyarūpeṇa tṛṇaiḥ kūpa iva āvṛtaḥ | atiṣṭhat prekṣya vaidehīṃ rāmapatnīṃ yaśasvinīm || 3.46.10 ||
ผู้บาปนั้นซ่อนเร้นอยู่ใต้รูปโฉมอันดูน่าเคารพ ประหนึ่งบ่อที่ถูกหญ้าปกคลุม ยืนอยู่ตรงนั้น จ้องมองไวเทหี พระชายาผู้มีเกียรติยศของพระราม
Just like a well is concealed by an overgrowth of grass, Ravana guised as a holy man stood looking at illustrious Sita, the wife of Rama.
FAQs
The verse warns that adharma often masks itself in respectable appearances; discernment (viveka) is necessary because truth and intent may be concealed beneath outward piety.
Rāvaṇa, disguised as a holy figure, stands near the hut and watches Sītā after Lakṣmaṇa has departed.
By contrast (through the simile), the virtue implied is discernment—recognizing deceit even when it appears ‘holy’.