Shloka 3.55.5

रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम् (Ravana’s Attempt to Allure Sita)

Devanagari script

अश्रुपूर्णमुखीं दीनां शोकभाराभिपीडिताम्।वायुवेगैरिवाक्रान्तां मज्जन्तीं नावमर्णवे।।3.55.4।।मृगयूथपरिभ्रष्टां मृगीं श्वभिरिवावृताम्।अधोमुखमुखीं सीतामभ्येत्य च निशाचरः।।3.55.5।।तां तु शोकपरां दीनामवशां राक्षसाधिपः।स बलाद्दर्शयामास गृहं देवगृहोपमम्।।3.55.6।।

Transliteration

mṛgayūthaparibhraṣṭāṃ mṛgīṃ śvabhir ivāvṛtām |

adhomukhamukhīṃ sītām abhyetya ca niśācaraḥ || 3.55.5 ||

Translation

Approaching Sītā with her face lowered, Rāvaṇa, the night-roamer, came upon her like hounds surrounding a doe separated from her herd.

Context

The demon Ravana forcibly took Sita, her face full of tears, to show her his heavenlike home. Inflicted with grief she looked wretched. She resembled a female deer hounded out of the herd. With her head bent in grief, she looked pathetic like one not under her control, like a boat sinking under the sea driven by the wind.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma rejects the strong preying upon the vulnerable. The deer-and-hounds simile frames coercion as morally predatory and socially illegitimate.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa draws near to the captive Sītā, who is overwhelmed and downcast after the abduction.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s modesty and self-restraint (downcast face) reflect dignity even under threat, a mark of steadfast character.