Shloka 1
रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्
Ravana’s Persuasion and Coercive Courtship of Sita
स तां परिवृतां दीनां निरानन्दां तपस्विनीम्।साकारैर्मधुरैर्वाक्यैर्न्यदर्शयत रावणः।।5.20.1।।
sa tāṃ parivṛtāṃ dīnāṃ nirānandāṃ tapasvinīm | sākārair madhurair vākyair nyadarśayata rāvaṇaḥ ||
Rāvaṇa wandte sich an sie — an Sītā, gleich einer Asketin — von Wachen umringt, niedergeschlagen und ohne Freude; mit süßen, kunstvoll gesetzten Worten suchte er ihr seinen Willen aufzudrängen.
Ravana expressed his intention in sweet words to the depressed and grief-stricken ascetic Sita surrounded by demon guards:
FAQs
The verse warns that unrighteous intent may wear the mask of sweetness: adharma often approaches through persuasive speech. Dharma requires discernment—judging by truth and conduct, not flattering words.
In captivity, Sita sits grief-stricken among guards; Ravana comes and begins speaking to her with calculated sweetness.
Sita’s steadfastness is set up by contrast: though distressed and isolated, she remains a tapasvinī—self-disciplined and anchored in satya—against Ravana’s manipulative speech.