Shloka 5.20.32

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

Devanagari script

मम ह्यसितकेशान्ते त्रैलोक्यप्रवराः स्त्रियः।।5.20.32।।तास्त्वां परिचरिष्यन्ति श्रियमप्सरसो यथा।

Transliteration

antaḥpuranivāsinyaḥ striyaḥ sarvaguṇānvitāḥ || 5.20.31 || yāvantyo mama sarvāsām aiśvaryaṃ kuru jānaki |

Translation

O Jānakī, many women—endowed with every accomplishment—dwell within my inner palace. Exercise sovereignty over them all.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā (Jānakī)
• antaḥpura (inner palace)

FAQs

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

Dharma teaches that power and status cannot sanctify wrongdoing; offering authority is used here as temptation to normalize an unrighteous relationship.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa attempts to entice Sītā by promising royal status and supremacy over his harem.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s integrity: she does not exchange dharma for aiśvarya (worldly sovereignty).