Shloka 37
रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः
Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply
प्रतिलोमानुलोमैश्च सामदानादिभेदनैः।।।।आवर्जयत वैदेहीं दण्डस्योद्यमनेन च।
pratilomānulomaiś ca sāmadānādi-bhedanaiḥ |
āvarjayata vaidehīṃ daṇḍasyodyamanena ca ||
Gewinnt Vaidehī — durch ihr angenehme oder unangenehme Mittel — durch Beschwichtigung, durch Gaben und andere Listen, ja sogar durch die Drohung mit Strafe oder deren Vollzug.
Of them one had one eye, the other one ear, another with ears covered, one had the ear of a cow, another had ears of an elephant and yet another, long, hanging ears. One had the feet of an elephant, another, hoofs of a horse and still another of a cow. While one had a single foot, another had broad feet and yet another no feet at all. One had a long neck and a large head. One had large breasts and belly. One had a big face and eyes, another had a long tongue and yet another no tongue at all. One had no nose and still another had a lion face and yet another the face of a cow.
FAQs
It demonstrates how ‘methods’ (even those resembling statecraft) become unethical when used to violate truth, consent, and righteousness. Dharma requires that means be morally legitimate, not merely effective.
Rāvaṇa lays out a range of tactics—soft and harsh—for the demonesses to employ to break Sītā’s resistance.
Sītā’s satya and steadfast fidelity are emphasized by opposition: the more manipulation is proposed, the more her unwavering commitment to dharma stands out.