Shloka 3.55.27

रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम् (Ravana’s Attempt to Allure Sita)

Devanagari script

अभिषेकोदकक्लिन्ना तुष्टा च रमयस्व माम्।दुष्कृतं यत्परा कर्म वनवासेन तद्गतम्।।3.55.27।।यश्च ते सुकृतो धर्मस्तस्येह फलमाप्नुहि।

Transliteration

abhiṣekodaka-klinnā tuṣṭā ca ramayasva mām |

duṣkṛtaṃ yat purā karma vanavāsena tad gatam ||3.55.27||

yaś ca te sukṛto dharmas tasyeha phalam āpnuhi |

Translation

Bathed in consecration-water and content, delight me. Whatever evil karma was formerly yours has been exhausted by your forest-dwelling; now obtain here the fruit of your meritorious dharma.

Context

Drenched with the waters of consecration, entertain me. The effect of the bad deeds done in the past are over with your dwelling in the forest. Now enjoy the fruits of yourgood and righteous deeds here with me.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā
• Abhiṣeka (consecration/coronation water)
• Vanavāsa (forest exile)

FAQs

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

Dharma and karma are not tools to legitimize coercion. The verse illustrates unethical “spiritual” rhetoric—misusing dharma-language to entice wrongdoing.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa promises Sītā royal consecration and claims her exile has ‘cleansed’ past sin, urging her to accept him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment (viveka): the ability to reject false, self-serving interpretations of dharma.