Shloka 3.46.32
रावणस्य परिव्राजकवेषेण सीतासमीपगमनम् (Ravana Approaches Sita Disguised as a Mendicant)
इति प्रशस्ता वैदेही रावणेन दुरात्मना।द्विजातिवेशेण हि तं दृष्ट्वा रावणमागतम्।।।।सर्वैरतिथिसत्कारैः पूजयामास मैथिली।
iti praśastā vaidehī rāvaṇena durātmanā |
dvijāti-veśeṇa hi taṃ dṛṣṭvā rāvaṇam āgatam ||
sarvair atithi-satkāraiḥ pūjayāmāsa maithilī ||
Thus praised by the wicked Rāvaṇa, Vaidehī—seeing him arrive in the guise of a brāhmaṇa—Maithilī honored him with every form of guest-hospitality.
Seeing Ravana, a villain in the guise of a brahmin praising her, Sita, the princess ofVideha, honoured him with all hospitality.
Atithi-dharma (honoring guests) is upheld by Sītā; the verse also cautions that dharma can be targeted by those who abandon satya and misuse sacred appearances.
Sītā receives Rāvaṇa respectfully because he appears as a brāhmaṇa and speaks in praise.
Sītā’s hospitality, reverence, and adherence to righteous social duty.