Shloka 5.23.20
राक्षसी-भर्त्सना (The Demonesses’ Coercive Counsel to Sītā)
पुष्पवृष्टिं च तरवो मुमुचुर्यस्य वै भयात्।
शैलाश्च सुभ्रु पानीयं जलदाश्च यदेच्छति।
तस्य नैरृतराजस्य राजराजस्य भामिनि।
किं त्वं न कुरुषे बुद्धिं भार्यार्थे रावणस्य हि।।
puṣpavṛṣṭiṃ ca taravo mumucur yasya vai bhayāt | śailāś ca subhru pānīyaṃ jaladāś ca yad ecchati | tasya nairṛtarājasya rājarājasya bhāmini | kiṃ tvaṃ na kuruṣe buddhiṃ bhāryārthe rāvaṇasya hi ||
“O fair-browed lady, in fear of whom the trees let fall showers of flowers; and whenever he wishes, even mountains and clouds give forth water—O radiant one, why do you not set your mind on becoming the wife of that king of the rākṣasas, the king of kings, Rāvaṇa?”
The verse highlights a common ethical distortion: equating grandeur and power with moral right. In the Ramayana’s dharmic framework, righteousness is measured by self-restraint and truth, not by nature-bending might.
The demonesses intensify their persuasion, describing cosmic fear and obedience to Rāvaṇa to pressure Sītā into accepting him.
Sītā’s unwavering fidelity (satya to her marital vow) stands against temptations of status and threats of force.