Shloka 5.20.16

रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम् (Ravana’s Persuasion and Coercive Courtship of Sita)

Devanagari script

भव मैथिलि भार्या मे मोहमेनं विसर्जय।बह्वीनामुत्तमस्त्रीणामाहृतानामितस्ततः।।5.20.16।।सर्वासामेव भद्रं ते ममाग्रमहिषी भव।

Transliteration

bhava maithili bhāryā me moham enaṃ visarjaya |

bahvīnām uttama-strīṇām āhṛtānām itas tataḥ || 5.20.16 ||

sarvāsām eva bhadraṃ te mamāgra-mahiṣī bhava |

Translation

O Maithilī, become my wife; cast away this delusion. Among the many noble women brought from here and there, be—may you be blessed—my foremost queen-consort.

Context

"O Mythili ! be my wife. Give up this (folly due to) delusion. Be my chief consort among the several excellent women I have picked up here and there. Be blessed.

Characters & Entities

• Maithilī (Sītā)

FAQs

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

Dharma rejects coercive appropriation and the violation of another’s marriage. The verse shows power used to demand consent, which the Ramayana frames as adharma that ultimately destroys the perpetrator.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa proposes that Sītā become his queen, claiming he already has many women and offering her the highest status among them.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s fidelity (pativratā) and unwavering commitment to Rāma are emphasized by her refusal of status and luxury gained through unrighteousness.