Shloka 5.22.5

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

Devanagari script

एतस्मात्कारणान्न त्वां घातयामि वरानने।वधार्हामवमानार्हां मिथ्याप्रव्रजिते रताम्।।।।

Transliteration

etasmāt kāraṇān na tvāṃ ghātayāmi varānane | vadhārhām avamānārhāṃ mithyāpravrajite ratām ||

Translation

For this reason, O fair-faced lady, I do not kill you—though you merit death and humiliation—since you persist in a counterfeit ascetic posture.

Context

"O beautiful one! it is on this account that I do not kill you even though you deserve to be killed and insulted (for the words used), even as you are engaged in a pseudo-ascetic life.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā

FAQs

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

The verse highlights adharma: Rāvaṇa claims moral authority to punish, yet his very act of coercion and abuse is unrighteous. It also critiques false renunciation (mithyā‑pravrajyā), implying that outward religious appearance without truthfulness (satya) is ethically hollow.

What is the narrative situation?

In the Aśoka grove context, Rāvaṇa threatens Sītā after her refusal, asserting she deserves punishment but withholding immediate killing for his own stated reasons.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast (implicitly), Sītā’s satya and steadfast fidelity are foregrounded: she will not accept a false path or compromise her marital dharma despite threats.