Shloka 3.55.21

रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम् (Ravana’s Attempt to Allure Sita)

Devanagari script

राज्यभ्रष्टेन दीनेन तापसेन गतायुषा।किं करिष्यसि रामेण मानुषेणाल्पतेजसा।।3.55.21।।

Transliteration

rājya-bhraṣṭena dīnena tāpasena gatāyuṣā |

kiṃ kariṣyasi rāmeṇa mānuṣeṇālpa-tejasā ||3.55.21||

Translation

What will you gain from Rāma—a human, stripped of his kingdom, despondent, living as an ascetic, short-lived, and of little splendor?

Context

Of what use is Rama who has lost his kingdom, who is depressed and leads anascetic life and who is a short-lived, lacklustre human being.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma upholds satya (truth) and fairness; this verse shows a tactic of adharma—disparaging a righteous person to manipulate another’s loyalty.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa attempts to break Sītā’s commitment to Rāma by portraying Rāma as powerless and insignificant.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s steadfast fidelity (pativratā-dharma) is the virtue under pressure, as Rāvaṇa tries to undermine it.