Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 15, Shloka 22
पञ्चदशः सर्गः — देवकृत-प्रार्थना, रावणवधोपायः, विष्णोः मानुषावतारनियोजनम्
Sarga 15: The Devas’ Petition, the Means to Slay Ravana, and Vishnu’s Commission to Incarnate as Man
ऋषयश्च ततस्तेन गन्धर्वाप्सरसस्तथा।क्रीडन्तो नन्दनवने क्रूरेण किल हिंसिता:।।1.15.22।।
ṛṣayaś ca tatas tena gandharvāpsarasas tathā |
krīḍanto nandanavane krūreṇa kila hiṃsitāḥ ||1.15.22||
Bởi vậy, ngay cả các bậc ṛṣi, và cả gandharva cùng apsaras—đang vui chơi trong lâm viên Nandana—cũng được truyền rằng đã bị kẻ tàn bạo ấy làm hại.
It is reported that a cruel rakshasa with his haughty prowess has tortured rishis, gandharvas and apsaras sporting in Nandana groves.
FAQs
Dharma protects the harmless: attacking beings in places of peace and recreation is a clear sign of adharma and moral collapse.
The gods emphasize the extent of Rāvaṇa’s cruelty—his violence reaches even celestial groves like Nandana.
The implied virtue is restraint; the ‘cruel one’ lacks self-control, making him a danger everywhere.