Shloka 42
सीताभर्त्सना
The Ogresses’ Threats to Sita and Her Vow of Fidelity
ततस्तु प्रघसा नाम राक्षसी वाक्यमब्रवीत्।कण्ठमस्या नृशंसायाः पीडयाम किमास्यते।।5.24.42।।
tatastu praghasā nāma rākṣasī vākyam abravīt | kaṇṭham asyā nṛśaṃsāyāḥ pīḍayāma kim āsyate ||5.24.42||
Da sprach die Rākṣasī namens Praghasā: „Warum sitzen wir untätig hier? Lasst uns die Kehle dieser unbarmherzigen Frau zudrücken.“
'Thereafter we will announce that such a human being is dead. Then Ravana will simply say 'eat her up'. There is no doubt .'
FAQs
Dharma is shown by contrast: threatening a helpless captive is adharma and misuse of strength; righteousness demands restraint and protection of the vulnerable.
Praghasā urges immediate physical violence against Sītā as the group’s intimidation intensifies.
The verse foregrounds the rākṣasīs’ cruelty; by narrative contrast it later magnifies Sītā’s moral courage and purity.