Shloka 5.20.26

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

Devanagari script

किं करिष्यसि रामेण सुभगे चीरवाससा।निक्षिप्तविजयो रामो गतश्रीर्वनगोचरः।।5.20.26।।व्रती स्थण्डिलशायी च शङ्के जीवति वा न वा।

Transliteration

kiṃ kariṣyasi rāmeṇa subhage cīravāsasā | nikṣiptavijayo rāmo gataśrīr vanagocaraḥ || 5.20.26 || vratī sthaṇḍilaśāyī ca śaṅke jīvati vā na vā |

Translation

What will you do with Rāma, O fortunate lady, who wears bark-cloth? Rāma has set aside the triumphs of kingship, has lost his splendor, and roams the forest—an ascetic under vow, sleeping on bare ground; I even doubt whether he lives or not.

Context

"O beautiful lady! Rama has renounced victory, he has lost his fortune. Clad in bark,he is wandering in the forest following asceticism and sleeping on the ground. What can he do for you? I am in doubt if he is alive or not.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma condemns deceit and discouragement used to break another’s faith. The verse exemplifies adharma through belittling virtue (ascetic endurance) as weakness.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa attempts to sever Sītā’s hope by portraying Rāma as powerless, impoverished, and possibly dead.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s renunciant discipline is indirectly highlighted: he accepts hardship for dharma, while Sītā’s unwavering trust in him is tested.