Shloka 3.52.7
सीताहरण-विलापः / The Lament at Jatāyu and the Abduction of Sītā
तां लतामिव वेष्टन्तीमालिङ्गन्तीं महाद्रुमान्।मुञ्च मुञ्चेति बहुशः प्रवदन्राक्षसाधिपः।।।।क्रोशन्तीं राम रामेति रामेण रहितां वने।जीवितान्ताय केशेषु जग्राहान्तकसन्निभः।।।।
tāṃ latām iva veṣṭantīm āliṅgantīṃ mahādrumān |
muñca muñceti bahuśaḥ pravadan rākṣasādhipaḥ || 3.52.7 ||
As she clung to the great trees, winding about them like a creeper and embracing them, the lord of the rākṣasas cried again and again, “Let go, let go!”
Separated from Rama in the forest, Sita hugged huge trees, running round and round like a creeper coiled, crying loudly, 'Rama, O Rama' . The king of the demons, like Yama, caught hold of her hair only to invite his death, all the time saying, Leave it, Leave it (Leave the tree).
The verse highlights a breach of dharma: coercion and intimidation against an unwilling person. Dharma upholds restraint and protection of the vulnerable; Rāvaṇa’s command embodies adharma.
During Sītā’s abduction, she desperately clings to the forest trees for refuge, while Rāvaṇa orders her to let go so he can carry her away.
Sītā’s steadfastness and resistance—her refusal to consent and her instinct to seek refuge—underscore her integrity and fidelity.