Shloka 3.55.11

रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम् (Ravana’s Attempt to Allure Sita)

Devanagari script

सुधामणिविचित्राणि भूमिभागानि सर्वशः।दशग्रीवस्स्वभवने प्रादर्शयत मैथिलीम्।।3.55.11।।

Transliteration

sudhāmaṇivicitrāṇi bhūmibhāgāni sarvaśaḥ |

daśagrīvaḥ svabhavane prādarśayat maithilīm ||3.55.11||

Translation

In his own mansion, Daśagrīva showed Maithilī the many sections of flooring everywhere, inlaid with crystal and gems.

Context

The ten-headed Ravana showed Sita, the princess from Mithila the floors with wonderful crystals.

Characters & Entities

• Daśagrīva (Rāvaṇa)
• Maithilī (Sītā)
• Laṅkā (implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma is contrasted with coercive persuasion: displaying wealth to influence another’s will is ethically suspect when used to support wrongdoing.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa leads Sītā through his residence, pointing out its gem-studded splendour as a prelude to his proposal.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s integrity (satya-niṣṭhā) is foregrounded by the surrounding episode: she does not equate luxury with righteousness.