Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 22, Shloka 42
रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः
Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply
अकामां कामयानस्य शरीरमुपतप्यते।।5.22.42।।इच्छन्तीं कामयानस्य प्रीतिर्भवति शोभना।
akāmāṃ kāmayānasya śarīram upatapyate |
icchantīṃ kāmayānasya prītir bhavati śobhanā ||
إذا لاحقَ الرجلُ المشتاقُ امرأةً لا رغبةَ لها، لم يجنِ جسدُه إلا العذاب؛ أمّا إذا لاحقَ امرأةً راغبةً، كانت اللذّةُ الناشئةُ لائقةً جميلة.
FAQs
It states a dharmic norm for desire: coercion against the unwilling yields only suffering and is unfitting; mutual willingness is the proper basis for pleasure.
Dhānyamālinī argues against Rāvaṇa’s forced pursuit of Sītā by contrasting unwillingness with willing consent.
Restraint and discernment in kāma—recognizing that ethical conduct requires respecting another’s will.