Shloka 3.46.15
रावणस्य परिव्राजकवेषेण सीतासमीपगमनम् (Ravana Approaches Sita Disguised as a Mendicant)
का त्वं काञ्चनवर्णाभे पीतकौशेयवासिनि।।।।कमलानां शुभां मालां पद्मिनीव हि बिभ्रती।
kā tvaṃ kāñcanavarṇābhe pītakauśeyavāsini | kamalānāṃ śubhāṃ mālāṃ padminīva hi bibhratī || 3.46.15 ||
Who are you—golden-hued, clad in yellow silk—wearing an auspicious garland of lotuses, like a lotus-lake itself?
Who are you with a golden complexion, clad in yellow silk, and looking like a lotus-pond and wearing an auspicious lotus garland?
The verse illustrates how untruth can be wrapped in courteous inquiry; Dharma requires truthful intent behind words, not merely polite form.
Rāvaṇa initiates conversation with Sītā by questioning her identity, using admiration and poetic address.
Sītā’s radiance and auspicious presence are emphasized, setting the stage for her steadfast adherence to marital fidelity and truth.