Shloka 5.22.34

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

Devanagari script

एकाक्षीमेककर्णां च कर्णप्रावरणां तथा।गोकर्णीं हस्तिकर्णीं च लम्बकर्णीमकर्णिकाम्।।5.22.33।।हस्तिपाद्यश्वपाद्यौ च गोपादीं पादचूलिकाम्।एकाक्षीमेकपादीं च पृथुपादीमपादिकाम्।।5.22.34।।अतिमात्रशिरोग्रीवामतिमात्रकुचोदरीम्।अतिमात्रास्यनेत्रां च दीर्घजिह्वामजिह्विकाम्।।5.22.35।।अनासिकां सिंहमुखीं गोमुखीं सूकरीमुखीम्।

Transliteration

yathā mad-vaśagā sītā kṣipraṃ bhavati jānakī |

tathā kuruta rākṣasyaḥ sarvāḥ kṣipraṃ sametya ca ||

Translation

All of you demonesses, gather quickly and act so that Janakī—Sītā—submits to my will at once.

Context

Of them one had one eye, the other one ear, another with ears covered, one had the ear of a cow, another had ears of an elephant and yet another, long, hanging ears. One had the feet of an elephant, another, hoofs of a horse and still another of a cow. While one had a single foot, another had broad feet and yet another no feet at all. One had a long neck and a large head. One had large breasts and belly. One had a big face and eyes, another had a long tongue and yet another no tongue at all. One had no nose and still another had a lion face and yet another the face of a cow.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā
• Janakī
• Rākṣasīs

FAQs

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

Dharma condemns forcing another’s will; consent and righteousness matter. The verse illustrates adharma as domination backed by a coercive system.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa instructs the demonesses to collectively pressure Sītā into accepting him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s integrity (śīla) is the silent counterpoint—her refusal to submit despite coordinated pressure.