Shloka 3.56.27

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

Devanagari script

शीघ्रमेव हि राक्षस्यो विकृता घोरदर्शनाः।दर्पमस्या विनेष्यध्वं मांसशोणितभोजनाः।।।।

Transliteration

śīghram eva hi rākṣasyo vikṛtā ghoradarśanāḥ |

darpam asyā vineṣyadhvaṃ māṃsaśoṇitabhojanāḥ ||

Translation

O demonesses, misshapen and terrifying to behold, eaters of flesh and blood! Quickly break her pride and subdue her!

Context

Addressing the flesh-eating, blood-drinking, loathsome and fearful demonesses Ravana said, Humble her pride at once.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• rākṣasīs (demonesses)
• Sītā (implied by asyāḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented negatively: humiliation and coercion are condemned by their portrayal as rākṣasa conduct—power used to crush integrity rather than protect it.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa orders his demoness attendants to intimidate Sītā and force her into submission.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s dignity is the target; the implied virtue is her inner honor that oppressors attempt to break but cannot truly stain.