Shloka 11
रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्
Ravana’s Persuasion and Coercive Courtship of Sita
स्त्रीरत्नमसि मैवं भूः कुरु गात्रेषु भूषणम्।मां प्राप्य हि कथं नु स्वास्त्वमनर्हा सुविग्रहे।।5.20.11।।
strīratnam asi maivaṃ bhūḥ kuru gātreṣu bhūṣaṇam |
māṃ prāpya hi kathaṃ nu svāstvaṃ anarhā suvigrahe || 5.20.11 ||
Du bist ein Kleinod unter den Frauen; bleib nicht so: schmücke deine Glieder mit Geschmeide. O du von schöner Gestalt, wenn du mich erlangt hast, wie solltest du dann der Wohlfahrt und des Gedeihens unwürdig sein?
"You are a, a jewel among women. You should not remain like this. You should adorn yourself properly. How can you remain deprived after having me?
FAQs
Dharma here is highlighted by contrast: treating a person as an object to be decorated and possessed violates respect and rightful conduct. The Ramayana positions true dharma as honoring agency and marital fidelity, not domination.
Rāvaṇa continues his attempt to persuade Sītā, praising her beauty and urging her to accept ornamentation and comfort as his consort.
Sītā’s dignity and self-restraint are underscored indirectly—she does not accept prosperity gained through unrighteous means.