Shloka 3.47.41

सीतारावणसंवादः — Ravana Reveals Himself; Sita Affirms Rama’s Dharma

Devanagari script

अक्षि सूच्या प्रमृजसि जिह्वया लेक्षि च क्षुरम्।राघवस्य प्रियां भार्यां योऽधिगन्तुं त्वमिच्छसि।।3.47.41।।

Transliteration

akṣi sūcyā pramṛjasi jihvayā lekṣi ca kṣuram | rāghavasya priyāṁ bhāryāṁ yo 'dhigantuṁ tvam icchasi || 3.47.41 ||

Translation

To seek to violate the beloved wife of Raghava is like rubbing your eyes with a needle, and licking the edge of a razor with your tongue.

Context

You wish to violate the loving wife of Rama. You are rubbing your eyes with a needle and licking the razor with your tongue.

Characters & Entities

• Mārīca
• Rāvaṇa
• Rāghava (Rāma)
• Sītā

FAQs

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

Respecting marital sanctity and another’s spouse is central to Dharma; violating it harms both victim and violator and invites righteous retribution.

What is the narrative situation?

Mārīca uses vivid self-injury images to show that abducting/violating Sītā will destroy Rāvaṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Maryādā (moral boundaries) and reverence for chastity—Sītā’s protected status as Rāma’s beloved wife.