Shloka 4

सीताभर्त्सना

The Ogresses’ Threats to Sita and Her Vow of Fidelity

Devanagari script

त्रैलोक्यवसुभोक्तारं रावणं राक्षसेश्वरम्।

भर्तारमुपसङ्गम्य विहरस्व यथासुखम्।।5.24.4।।

Transliteration

trailokyavasubhoktāraṃ rāvaṇaṃ rākṣaseśvaram |

bhartāram upasaṅgamya viharasva yathāsukham ||5.24.4||

Translation

Vereine dich mit Ravana – dem Herrn der Rakshasas, dem Genießer des Reichtums der drei Welten – und lebe unbeschwert, dich vergnügend, wie es dir gefällt.

Word by Word

• trailokyavasubhoktāram: the enjoyer of the wealth of the three worlds
• trailokyavasubhoktāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri-lokya-vasu-bhoktṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: त्रैलोक्यस्य वसूनि भोक्तारम् (enjoyer of the riches of the three worlds)

• rāvaṇam: Rāvaṇa
• rāvaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• rākṣaseśvaram: lord of the rākṣasas
• rākṣaseśvaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa-īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: राक्षसानाम् ईश्वरम् (lord of rākṣasas)

• bhartāram: husband
• bhartāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhartṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• upasaṅgamya: having approached/united with
• upasaṅgamya: Kriya (क्रिया/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-saṃ-√gam (गम् धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund): having gone near/approached, having united with

• viharasva: sport; enjoy
• viharasva: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√hṛ (हृ धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

• yathāsukham: as you please; happily
• yathāsukham: Prakaraṇa (प्रकरण/Adverbial manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā-sukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास, अव्ययवत् प्रयोग (adverb): यथा सुखम् (as you please/at ease)

Context

"Accept Ravana as your husband and after uniting with him enjoy all the pleasures of the three worlds.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā
• Trailokya (three worlds)

FAQs

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

The verse frames worldly wealth as justification for an unrighteous union. Ramayana dharma rejects prosperity gained through adharma; satya and rightful relationships are valued above material abundance.

What is the narrative situation?

Early in the confrontation, the rākṣasīs attempt to entice Sītā by praising Rāvaṇa’s power and wealth across the three worlds.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s renunciation of improper gain—she will not abandon truth for luxury.