Shloka 5.24.42

सीताभर्त्सना — The Ogresses’ Threats to Sita and Her Vow of Fidelity

Devanagari script

ततस्तु प्रघसा नाम राक्षसी वाक्यमब्रवीत्।कण्ठमस्या नृशंसायाः पीडयाम किमास्यते।।5.24.42।।

Transliteration

yakṛt-plīham athotpīḍaṃ hṛdayaṃ ca sabandhanam | āntrāṇy api tathā śīrṣaṃ khādeyam iti me matiḥ ||5.24.41||

Translation

My thought is to eat her—liver and spleen, the heart with its attachments, the intestines, and likewise the head.

Context

Next spoke an ogress called Praghasa, saying 'Why not we twist and squeeze the neck of this heartless lady. Why are you sitting idle still? Come on.'

Characters & Entities

• Sītā

FAQs

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

It exemplifies adharma through extreme हिंसा (violence) and dehumanization; the Ramayana’s moral universe condemns such cruelty, especially toward the innocent and captive.

What is the narrative situation?

The ogresses escalate their threats, describing dismemberment and cannibalistic intent to terrorize Sītā into submission.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s inner steadfastness is tested; her virtue is perseverance under भय (fear) without surrendering her truth.