Shloka 26
रावणस्य परिव्राजकवेषेण सीतासमीपगमनम्
Ravana Approaches Sita Disguised as a Mendicant
वरं माल्यं वरं भोज्यं वरं वस्त्रं च शोभने।भर्तारं च वरं मन्ये त्वद्युक्तमसितेक्षणे।।।।
varaṃ mālyaṃ varaṃ bhोजyaṃ varaṃ vastraṃ ca śobhane | bhartāraṃ ca varaṃ manye tvad-yuktam asitekṣaṇe ||
হে শোভনে, শ্যামনয়নে! শ্রেষ্ঠ মালা, শ্রেষ্ঠ ভোজন ও শ্রেষ্ঠ বস্ত্র তোমারই উপযুক্ত; আর আমি মনে করি, তোমার যোগ্য এক উত্তম ভর্তাও তোমার প্রাপ্য।
O beautiful, black-eyed lady, I think you deserve the best of garlands, best of food,and clothes and a suitable husband.
FAQs
It indirectly foregrounds marital dharma: offering “a suitable husband” to a married woman is an ethical violation; dharma upholds fidelity, consent, and respect for established bonds.
Rāvaṇa escalates from praise to proposal-like persuasion, presenting luxury and a ‘better’ spouse as inducements.
Patnīvrata/faithfulness is emphasized—Sītā’s unwavering loyalty to Rāma stands as the narrative’s moral center against such temptation.