Shloka 18
सीताहरणम्
Ravana reveals his true form and abducts Sita
तं दृष्ट्वा मृत्युसङ्काशं तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रं महाभुजम्।।3.49.18।।प्राद्रवन्गिरिसङ्काशं भयार्ता वनदेवताः।
taṃ dṛṣṭvā mṛtyusaṅkāśaṃ tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭraṃ mahābhujam | prādravan girisaṅkāśaṃ bhayārtā vanadevatāḥ ||
اسے دیکھ کر—جو موت کی مانند، تیز دانتوں والا، عظیم بازوؤں والا اور پہاڑ سا ہیبت ناک تھا—جنگل کی دیوتائیں خوف زدہ ہو کر بھاگ نکلیں۔
The sylvan deities fled out of fear on seeing the dreadful appearance of Ravana who had sharp teeth and mighty arms. He looked like a mountain, a veritable god of death.
FAQs
Adharma generates भय (fear) in the world: when a powerful being acts unrighteously, even protective presences withdraw, showing how moral disorder destabilizes the environment.
As Rāvaṇa’s terrifying form becomes evident, the forest’s divine presences retreat in alarm.
The verse indirectly emphasizes the virtue of dharmic protection: when it is absent (as with Rāvaṇa), the world responds with fear and flight.