Shloka 5
रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्
Ravana’s Persuasion and Coercive Courtship of Sita
स्वधर्मो रक्षसां भीरु सर्वथैव न संशयः।गमनं वा परस्त्रीणां हरणं सम्प्रमथ्य वा।।5.20.5।।
svadharmo rakṣasāṃ bhīru sarvathaiva na saṃśayaḥ |
gamanaṃ vā parastrīṇāṃ haraṇaṃ sampramathya vā ||5.20.5||
O scheue Dame, dies ist in jeder Hinsicht das eigene Dharma der Rākṣasas, ohne Zweifel: sich den Frauen anderer zu nähern oder sie mit Gewalt durch Entführung zu rauben.
"O timid lady! having an unrighteous approach to wives of others or their abduction by force is natural to demons, There is no doubt.
FAQs
The verse frames a direct conflict with dharma: violating another’s marriage and using coercion are admitted as adharma, even if the speaker tries to normalize it as a rākṣasa ‘nature.’
Rāvaṇa is pressuring Sītā in Laṅkā, attempting to justify his desire and threats by claiming such conduct is natural for rākṣasas.
By contrast (implicitly), Sītā’s steadfast chastity and adherence to marital dharma are highlighted against Rāvaṇa’s self-justifying adharma.