Book 5 Chapter 29 Verse 4
Sundara Kanda (Book of Beauty), Sarga 29, SlOka 4
gaja indra hasta pratimaH ca piinaha
tayooh dvayooh samhatayooh sujaataja
praspandamaanaha punaha uuruha asyaa
raamam purastaat sthitam aacacakshhee.
Context
Ravana abducted Sita. Sita was sitting in Ashoka Garden dejected, but with a hope that her husband would rescue her some day. The Poet Valmiki was describing her. Rama's messenger Hanuman was yet to reach her.
Gist
Sita's strong thighs resembled the stout trunk of the demi God Indra's elephant. They were kept together. They were quivering. This was indicative of the presence of Rama in front of her.
Blogger's Observation
We may not find fault with the poet's desire to present the omen (howsoever superstitious it may be, considering that in those days people believed omens) of quivering thighs of Sita.
What is inapt here: Valmiki was revelling in describing her thighs as stout and comparing them with a huge elephant's trunk. Sita's thighs should have been lean and sunk owing to the malnutrition of the one year's stay under the Ashoka tree facing the rigours of sun, shower, dust and winds. She should have been emaciated , suffering from cold and hunger.
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