Shloka 5.23.8

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

Devanagari script

तस्य पुत्रो विशालाक्षि रावणः शत्रुरावणः।तस्य त्वं राक्षसेन्द्रस्य भार्या भवितुमर्हसि।।।।मयोक्तं चारुसर्वाङ्गिः वाक्यं किं नानुमन्यसे।

Transliteration

tasya putro viśālākṣi rāvaṇaḥ śatrurāvaṇaḥ |

tasya tvaṃ rākṣasendrasya bhāryā bhavitum arhasi ||

mayoktaṃ cāru-sarvāṅgiḥ vākyaṃ kiṃ nānumanyase |

Translation

O wide-eyed lady, his son is Rāvaṇa, the subduer of foes. You are fit to become the wife of that lord of rākṣasas. O fair-limbed one, why do you not agree to what I have said?

Context

'O large-eyes lady! to become the wife of the lord of demons is a stroke of good luck. You deserve to be one. O lady of beautiful limbs! why don't you accept his proposal?'

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Viśravas
• Rāvaṇa
• Rākṣasendra (lord of rākṣasas)

FAQs

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

Dharma insists that marriage and union must be righteous and freely chosen; the verse portrays adharma by urging Sītā to accept a wrongful relationship based on power and flattery.

What is the narrative situation?

Ekajaṭā culminates her genealogical praise by directly pressing Sītā to become Rāvaṇa’s wife.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s chastity and fidelity (pativratā-dharma) are the central virtues challenged by this proposal.