Shloka 29
रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः
Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply
स कल्पवृक्षप्रतिमो वसन्त इव मूर्तिमान्।श्मशानचैत्यप्रतिमो भूषितोऽपि भयङ्करः।।।।
sa kalpavṛkṣa-pratimo vasanta iva mūrtimān |
śmaśāna-caitya-pratimo bhūṣito 'pi bhayaṅkaraḥ ||
وہ کلپَورِکش کے مانند، گویا بہار مجسم تھا؛ مگر ساتھ ہی شمشان کی چیتیہ کے مانند—آراستہ ہونے کے باوجود بھیانک دکھائی دیتا تھا۔
"My love for you has restrained my anger, just as a good charioteer controls the horses galloping on a wrong path.
FAQs
Outer beauty and splendour do not guarantee inner righteousness. Dharma evaluates character and conduct; adharma can be ‘adorned’ yet still remain fearsome and destructive.
The narration portrays Rāvaṇa’s imposing presence in Aśoka-vana, emphasizing a contradiction: majestic attractiveness paired with the dread of moral corruption.
Discernment (viveka): the ability to judge beyond appearances—crucial in the Ramayana’s moral world.