HomeRamayanaSundara KandaSarga 22Shloka 5.22.8
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Shloka 5.22.8

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

द्वौ मासौ रक्षितव्यौ मे योऽवधिस्ते मया कृतः।ततः शयनमारोह मम त्वं वरवर्णिनि।।।।

dvau māsau rakṣitavyau me yo 'vadhis te mayā kṛtaḥ | tataḥ śayanam āroha mama tvaṃ varavarṇini ||

Two months is the limit I have set for you and will wait; after that, O lovely-hued woman, you must come to my bed.

"I shall wait for two months, the deadline fixed. O lady of beautiful hue! thereafter you have to share my bed.

R
Rāvaṇa
S
Sītā

Dharma rejects coercion and exploitation: Rāvaṇa’s ‘deadline’ and demand violate marital ethics, consent, and protection owed to a captive—showing adharma as domination rather than righteous rule.

Rāvaṇa sets a time limit for Sītā to submit to him and issues an explicit sexual threat.

Sītā’s steadfast chastity and loyalty (pativratā-dharma) are emphasized by the pressure placed upon her to abandon them.