HomeRamayanaSundara KandaSarga 58Shloka 5.58.66
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Shloka 5.58.66

सुन्दरकाण्डे अष्टपञ्चाशः सर्गः — हनुमद्वृत्तान्तकथनम्, सीताभिज्ञान-प्रदानम्, लङ्कादाह-वर्णनम्

वित्रस्तां परमोद्विग्नां वीक्षमाणां ततस्ततः।त्राणं किञ्चिदपश्यन्तीं वेपमानां तपस्विनीम्।।।।तामुवाच दशग्रीवस्सीतां परमदुःखिताम्।अवाक्चिराः प्रपतितो बहुमन्यस्व मामिति।।।।

vitrastāṃ paramodvignāṃ vīkṣamāṇāṃ tatastataḥ |

trāṇaṃ kiñcid apaśyantīṃ vepamānāṃ tapasvinīm ||

tām uvāca daśagrīvaḥ sītāṃ paramaduḥkhitām |

avākcirāḥ prapatito bahumanyasva mām iti ||

Sītā—terrified, deeply shaken, looking about in every direction, finding no refuge at all, trembling, yet steadfast in her austerity—was then addressed by Daśagrīva. Bowing his head, Rāvaṇa spoke to the grief-stricken Sītā: “Trust in me; honor me.”

"Sita was full of fear and worry, looked here and there without any protector to pacify. She was trembling in fear. To that Sita, the ten-headed Ravana bent his head down and said, 'trust me and respect me'.

S
Sītā
R
Rāvaṇa (Daśagrīva)

The verse contrasts false persuasion with true dharma: coercive power tries to mimic humility, but dharma requires consent, protection of the innocent, and truthfulness in intent.

Rāvaṇa approaches Sītā in captivity; she is frightened and searching for safety, and he attempts to win compliance through feigned deference.

Sītā’s inner discipline (tapas) and resilience under fear, refusing to collapse morally even when physically unprotected.