Shloka 3.56.23

सीताया रावणनिन्दा — अशोकवनिकाप्रवेशः (Sita’s Rebuke of Ravana; Removal to the Ashoka Grove)

Devanagari script

सीताया वचनं श्रुत्वा परुषं रोमहर्षणम्।।।।प्रत्युवाच ततस्सीतां भयसन्दर्शनं वचः।

Transliteration

sītāyā vacanaṃ śrutvā paruṣaṃ romaharṣaṇam |

pratyuvāca tataḥ sītāṃ bhayasandarśanaṃ vacaḥ ||

Translation

Hearing Sita’s harsh, hair-raising words, Ravana then retorted with speech calculated to strike terror into her heart.

Context

Having heard such harsh, horripilating words from Sita, Ravana replied in a way designed to create fear in her:

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma is contrasted with adharma: coercion through fear is shown as morally corrupt, highlighting that righteous persuasion never relies on intimidation.

What is the narrative situation?

After Sītā’s rebuke, Rāvaṇa responds, shifting from persuasion to fear-based threats.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Indirectly, Sītā’s moral courage is underscored because Rāvaṇa must resort to intimidation to counter her principled resistance.