Shloka 3.55.16

रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम् (Ravana’s Attempt to Allure Sita)

Devanagari script

सहस्रमेकमेकस्य मम कार्यपुरस्सरम्।।3.55.15।।यदिदं राजतन्त्रं मे त्वयि सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्।जीवितं च विशालाक्षि त्वं मे प्राणैर्गरीयसी।।3.55.16।।

Transliteration

bahūnāṃ strīsahasrāṇāṃ mama yo 'sau parigrahaḥ |

tāsāṃ tvam īśvarā sīte mama bhāryā bhava priye ||3.55.17||

Translation

“Among the many thousands of women who are my consorts, O Sītā, become their mistress; beloved, be my wife.”

Context

For me alone there are a thousand attendants.The administration of the kingdom and all my subjects will be under your control. O largeeyed Sita you are dearer to me than my life.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā

FAQs

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

Dharma upholds marital fidelity and consent; proposing ‘marriage’ after kidnapping is a violation of both satya (truthfulness) and maryādā (moral boundaries).

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa explicitly asks Sītā to accept him as husband and reign as chief queen over his existing wives.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s chastity and loyalty to Rāma (pativratā-dharma) are the central virtues challenged by this proposal.