Shloka 28

रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्

Ravana’s Attempt to Allure Sita

Devanagari script

इह माल्यानि सर्वाणि दिव्यगन्धानि मैथिलि।।3.55.28।।भूषणानि च मुख्यानि सेवस्व च मया सह।।

Transliteration

iha mālyāni sarvāṇi divya-gandhāni maithili ||3.55.28||

bhūṣaṇāni ca mukhyāni sevasva ca mayā saha ||

Translation

Hier sind alle Kränze von göttlichem Duft, o Maithilī; und auch die erlesensten Schmuckstücke — lege sie an und genieße sie hier mit mir.

Word by Word

• इह: here
• इह: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative setting)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इह (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable), देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• माल्यानि: garlands
• माल्यानि: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), बहुवचन

• सर्वाणि: all
• सर्वाणि: कर्म (Karma/Object; qualifier of mālyāni/divyagandhāni)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• दिव्यगन्धानि: divinely fragrant
• दिव्यगन्धानि: कर्म (Karma/Object; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिव्यगन्ध (प्रातिपदिक: दिव्य + गन्ध)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण; समासः कर्मधारय (divine + fragrant)

• मैथिलि: O Maithili (Sita)
• मैथिलि: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मैथिली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन

• भूषणानि: ornaments
• भूषणानि: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• मुख्यानि: chief, finest
• मुख्यानि: कर्म (Karma/Object; qualifier of bhūṣaṇāni)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• सेवस्व: use/wear (put on)
• सेवस्व: क्रिया (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सेव् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक-निपात

• मया: with me / by me
• मया: सहकारक/सह (Association; with saha)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन

• सह: together with
• सह: सहकारक (Association)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सहार्थक-उपपद (postposition meaning 'with', governs instrumental)

Context

O princess from Mithila, put on all garlands of wonderful fragrance and finest of jewels here with me.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā (Maithilī)
• Garlands (mālya)
• Ornaments (bhūṣaṇa)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is not for sale: material gifts cannot justify betrayal of truth, vows, and rightful marital fidelity.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa continues persuasion by offering luxury—fragrant garlands and precious ornaments—to entice Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Aparigraha-like restraint and moral steadfastness—Sītā’s refusal to be swayed by wealth.