Shloka 3.46.22

रावणस्य परिव्राजकवेषेण सीतासमीपगमनम् (Ravana Approaches Sita Disguised as a Mendicant)

Devanagari script

नैव देवी न गन्धर्वी न यक्षी न च किन्नरी।नैवंरूपा मया नारी दृष्टपूर्वा महीतले।।।।

Transliteration

naiva devī na gandharvī na yakṣī na ca kinnarī | naivaṃrūpā mayā nārī dṛṣṭapūrvā mahītale ||

Translation

Neither goddess, nor Gandharva-maiden, nor Yakṣī, nor Kinnarī—never before upon this earth have I seen a woman of such a form.

Context

O beautiful lady! I have not seen such a beauty earlier either among goddesses or among gandharavis, or yakshis or even among kinneris.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā (implied addressee)
• Devī (goddesses)
• Gandharvī
• Yakṣī
• Kinnarī

FAQs

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

The verse showcases flattery as a persuasive tactic; dharma cautions against speech that distorts truth to exploit another’s emotions.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa elevates Sītā’s beauty above celestial beings to entice her and unsettle her judgment.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment (viveka) is highlighted—Sītā must see through exaggerated praise and remain anchored in truth and duty.