Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 48, Shloka 18
अहल्याशापवर्णनम्
The Account of Ahalyā’s Curse and the Deserted Hermitage near Mithilā
ऋतुकालं प्रतीक्षन्ते नार्थिनस्सुसमाहिते।सङ्गमं त्वहमिच्छामि त्वया सह सुमध्यमे।।
ṛtukālaṃ pratīkṣante nārthinaḥ susamāhite | saṅgamaṃ tv aham icchāmi tvayā saha sumadhyame ||
Hỡi người thân thể mỹ lệ, kẻ bị dục vọng thúc bách nào đợi đúng thời; hỡi người eo thon, ta khát cầu được hòa hợp cùng nàng.
'O most beautiful one! those overtaken by passion would not await the completion of the menstrual period (favourable for copulation). O woman of fine waist! I desire union with you.'
FAQs
It illustrates adharma: desire is presented as overriding restraint and propriety. The Ramayana frames such speech—especially under disguise—as a breach of satya and self-control.
Indra, disguised as a sage, attempts to persuade Ahalyā to accept sexual union immediately.
The virtue highlighted by contrast is self-restraint (dama) and fidelity to dharma; the verse shows what happens when kāma tries to dominate conduct.