Shloka 3.46.23

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

Devanagari script

रूपमग्र्यं च लोकेषु सौकुमार्यं वयश्चते।इह वासश्च कान्तारे चित्तमुन्मादयन्ति मे।।।।

Transliteration

rūpam agryaṃ ca lokeṣu saukumāryaṃ vayaś ca te | iha vāsaś ca kāntāre cittam unmādayanti me ||

Translation

Your beauty is foremost in the worlds; tenderness and youth are yours. And that you dwell here in this wild forest—these things drive my mind into restless agitation.

Context

You are the most beautiful among women in the world. With all your tenderness and youth you are living in this forlorn forest. This maddens my heart.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā (implied addressee)
• kāntāra (forest)

FAQs

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

It contrasts uncontrolled desire with dharma’s demand for inner governance; agitation of mind is not a justification for violating another’s rights or marriage.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa frames Sītā’s presence in the forest as the cause of his mental agitation, continuing his coercive courtship.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-mastery is the key virtue by contrast; dharma expects one to restrain impulses rather than blame circumstances.