Chapter 56 — Aranya Kanda, Sarga 56

Valmiki Ramayana — Aranya Kanda

Verse 56.18

क्रीडन्ती राजहंसेन पद्मषण्डेषु नित्यशः। हंसी सा तृणमध्यस्थं कथं द्रक्ष्येत मद्गुकम्॥

krīḍantī rājahaṃsena padmaṣaṇḍeṣu nityaśaḥ| haṃsī sā tṛṇamadhyasthaṃ kathaṃ drakṣyeta madgukam||

English Meaning

How can the female that has always ‘sported with her mate amidst lotuses, cast her eyes on a shag staying among rushes.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)