Shloka 14

रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्

Ravana’s Persuasion and Coercive Courtship of Sita

Devanagari script

त्वां समासाद्य वैदेहि रूपयौवनशालिनीम्।कः पुमानतिवर्तेत साक्षादपि पितामहः।।5.20.14।।

Transliteration

tvāṃ samāsādya vaidehi rūpayauvanaśālinīm |

kaḥ pumān ativarteta sākṣād api pitāmahaḥ || 5.20.14 ||

Translation

O Vaidehī, reich an Schönheit und Jugend: Welcher Mann bliebe gefasst, wenn er dich erlangte, selbst wenn er Pitāmaha (Brahmā) persönlich wäre?

Word by Word

यत्-यत्whatever/whichever

पश्यामिI see

तेyour

गात्रम्limb/body-part

शीतांशु-सदृश-आननेO one whose face is like the cool moon

तस्मिन्in that

तस्मिन्in that (each)

पृथु-श्रोणिO broad-hipped one

चक्षुःeye/gaze

ममmy

निबध्यतेis fastened/gets fixed

Context

"O Vaidehi! you have (extraordinary) beauty and (exuberant) youth. Who would not lose his balance of mind even if he were Brahma the grandsire himself after getting you?

Characters & Entities

Vaidehī (Sītā)

Pitāmaha (Brahmā)

FAQs

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

Dharma upholds self-control (dama) and respect for others’ bonds; the verse normalizes loss of restraint as inevitable, which the Ramayana treats as a moral failure leading to ruin.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa argues that desire for Sītā is irresistible, attempting to excuse his own lack of restraint.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The implied virtue is self-mastery—contrasted with Rāvaṇa’s indulgence; Sītā’s steadfast restraint remains the moral counterpoint.