Shloka 18
राक्षसी-भर्त्सना
The Demonesses’ Coercive Counsel to Sītā
ततस्तु दुर्मुखी नाम राक्षसी वाक्यमब्रवीत्।यस्य सूर्यो न तपति भीतो यस्य च मारुतः।।।।न वाति स्मायतापाङ्गे किं त्वं तस्य न तिष्ठसि।
tatas tu durmukhī nāma rākṣasī vākyam abravīt | yasya sūryo na tapati bhīto yasya ca mārutaḥ | na vāti sma āyatāpāṅge kiṃ tvaṃ tasya na tiṣṭhasi ||
Da sprach die Rākṣasī namens Durmukhī: «O Langäugige, aus Furcht vor dem die Sonne nicht sengt und der Wind nicht weht—warum gibst du dich ihm nicht hin?»
As the demon king left for his abode all the demonesses of hideous looks rushed towards Sita and crowded around her.
FAQs
The verse demonstrates fear-based coercion—an adharma method. Dharma is upheld through truth and rightful conduct, not by forcing compliance through terror.
Durmukhī attempts to compel Sītā by portraying Rāvaṇa as so powerful that even nature fears him.
Sītā’s courage: she is expected to resist intimidation and remain aligned with dharma despite threats.