Shloka 5.23.13

राक्षसी-भर्त्सना (The Demonesses’ Coercive Counsel to Sītā)

Devanagari script

प्रियां बहुमतां भार्यां त्यक्त्वा राजा महाबलः।।।।सर्वासां च महाभागां त्वामुपैष्यति रावणः।

Transliteration

priyāṃ bahumatāṃ bhāryāṃ tyaktvā rājā mahābalaḥ | sarvāsāṃ ca mahābhāgāṃ tvām upaiṣyati rāvaṇaḥ ||

Translation

Mighty King Rāvaṇa, even forsaking his dear and most favored queen, will come to you—honored among all women—seeking you.

Context

'Even renouncing his highly respectable, favourite wife among all, mighty Ravana is prepared to accept you.

Characters & Entities

• Praghasā
• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa
• Rāvaṇa's favored wife (unnamed here)

FAQs

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

It exposes adharma in treating relationships as disposable and using flattery to entice wrongdoing. The Ramayana upholds satya and fidelity: dharma is not advanced by another’s abandonment of duty.

What is the narrative situation?

Praghasā tries to persuade Sītā by implying she will be specially chosen by Rāvaṇa, even over his existing favored queen.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s constancy (niṣṭhā) and marital righteousness: she refuses status or privilege gained through betrayal of dharma.