Shloka 5.20.31
रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम् (Ravana’s Persuasion and Coercive Courtship of Sita)
अन्तःपुरनिवासिन्यः स्त्रियः सर्वगुणान्विताः।।5.20.31।।यावन्त्यो मम सर्वासामैश्वर्यम् कुरु जानकि।
kliṣṭakauśeyavasanāṃ tanvīm apy analaṅkṛtām || 5.20.30 || tvāṃ dṛṣṭvā sveṣu dāreṣu ratiṃ nopalabhāmy aham |
Even seeing you in soiled silk—slender, and without ornaments—once I behold you, I find no desire for my own wives.
"O Janaki! There are a number of virtuous consorts residing in the harem of my royal palace. You may exercise your authority on all of them.
Dharma upholds self-control and respect for others’ boundaries; the verse illustrates how uncontrolled desire (kāma) erodes discernment and ethical restraint.
Rāvaṇa intensifies persuasion by declaring exclusive attraction to Sītā, contrasting her with his existing consorts.
Sītā’s dignity under suffering is highlighted: even in deprivation, her inner nobility remains unimpaired—yet it does not license another’s adharma.