Shloka 5.21.18

सीताया रावणं प्रति धर्मोपदेशः (Sita’s Dharmic Admonition to Ravana)

Devanagari script

साधु रावण रामेण मां समानय दुःखिताम्।।।।वने वाशितया सार्धं करेण्वेव गजाधिपम्।

Transliteration

sādhu rāvaṇa rāmeṇa māṃ samānaya duḥkhitām | vane vāśitayā sārdhaṃ kareṇv eva gajādhipam ||

Translation

Do what is right, O Rāvaṇa—reunite me, sorrowing, with Rāma, as one reunites in the forest a she-elephant separated from the lordly elephant.

Context

"O Ravana! it is proper for you to unite me in distress with Rama as one would unite a female elephant with the lordly elephant from which it is separated in the wilderness.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Restoring what was wrongfully taken is dharma; repentance is shown through restitution—returning Sītā to her rightful husband.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā urges Rāvaṇa to end the adharma of abduction by reuniting her with Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Compassionate firmness—Sītā demands justice while still offering Rāvaṇa a dharmic path.