Shloka 5.22.1

रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः (Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply)

Devanagari script

सीताया वचनं श्रुत्वा परुषं राक्षसाधिपः।प्रत्युवाच ततः सीतां विप्रियं प्रियदर्शनाम्।।।।

Transliteration

sītāyā vacanaṃ śrutvā paruṣaṃ rākṣasādhipaḥ |

pratyuvāca tataḥ sītāṃ vipriyaṃ priya-darśanām ||

Translation

Hearing Sītā’s harsh words, the lord of the rākṣasas then replied to the fair-to-behold Sītā with words that were unwelcome.

Context

Hearing the sharp words of pleasing Sita, the lord of demons replied in unpleasant terms:

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

The narrative contrasts dharmic speech and adharmic response: truth may provoke hostility from those attached to wrongdoing.

What is the narrative situation?

Transition into Sarga 22: Rāvaṇa, stung by Sītā’s rebuke, prepares to answer her harshly.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s moral force by implication—her truthful rebuke is strong enough to unsettle a tyrant.