Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 4
अष्टादशः सर्गः (Sarga 18): रावणस्य प्रमदावनप्रवेशः
Ravana’s entry into the women’s grove
विबुध्यतु यथाकालं राक्षसेन्द्रः प्रतापवान्।स्रस्तमाल्याम्बरधरो वैदेहीमन्वचिन्तयत्।।5.18.4।।
vibudhyata yathākālaṃ rākṣasendraḥ pratāpavān |
srastamālyāmbaradharo vaidehīm anvacintayat ||5.18.4||
Pagkagising sa takdang oras, ang makapangyarihang hari ng mga rākṣasa—gusot pa ang kanyang kuwintas na bulaklak at kasuotan—ay muling ibinaling ang isip kay Vaidehī (Sītā).
Hanuman, possessed of extraordinary energy, was taken aback at the might of Ravana. He remained hiding covered over with leaves.
FAQs
The verse implicitly contrasts dharma with uncontrolled desire: a ruler’s mind should rest in self-restraint and righteousness, not in obsessive, unlawful craving for another’s wife.
After waking, Rāvaṇa—still in the aftereffects of indulgence—immediately thinks of Sītā, indicating his continuing fixation before he goes toward Aśokavanikā.
By contrast (through negation), the virtue highlighted is self-control (dama) and purity of intent—qualities Rāvaṇa lacks here.