Shloka 3.56.24

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

Devanagari script

शृणु मैथिलि मद्वाक्यं मासान्द्वादश भामिनि।।।।कालेनानेन नाभ्येषि यदि मां चारुहासिनि।ततस्त्वां प्रातराशार्थं सूदाश्छेत्स्यन्ति लेशशः।।।।

Transliteration

śṛṇu maithili madvākyaṃ māsān dvādaśa bhāmini |

kālenānena nābhyēṣi yadi māṃ cāruhāsini |

tatas tvāṃ prātarāśārthaṃ sūdāś chetsyanti leśaśaḥ ||

Translation

“Listen, O Princess of Mithila—lovely one with the sweet smile—to my decree. If within twelve months you do not accept me, my cooks shall mince you into pieces for my morning meal.”

Context

O comely princess from Mithila, O lady with a sweet smile! listen to my words. If you do not accept my hand in the course of twelve months, the cooks will cut you off into small bits for the (my) breakfast.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā (Maithilī)
• Mithilā
• sūdāḥ (cooks)

FAQs

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

The verse illustrates adharma by example: forcing consent through fear and violence is a direct violation of righteousness and truth; dharma rejects coercion and cruelty.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa, angered by Sītā’s refusal, issues a deadline and threatens brutal harm to compel her submission.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast, Sītā’s chastity and steadfast loyalty to Rāma stand out, since only extreme threats are used against her unwavering commitment.