Shloka 6.31.13

मायाशिरोप्रदर्शनम् (The Display of the Illusory Head of Rāma)

Devanagari script

उपास्यमानांघोराभीराक्षसीभिरितस्ततः ।उपसृत्यततस्सीतांप्रहर्षंनामकीर्तयन् ।।।।इदंचवचनंधृष्टमुवाचजनकात्मजाम् ।

Transliteration

sāntvyamānā mayā bhadre yam upāśritya valgase |

khara-hantā sa te bhartā rāghavaḥ samare hataḥ ||6.31.14||

Translation

“O gentle lady, though I try to placate you, you keep clinging to the one you boast of—your husband Rāghava, slayer of Khara; he has been killed in battle.”

Context

While she was guarded by dreadful Rakshasa women surrounding her closely, Ravana went near her happily and saw her. He addressed Sita praising her.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā
• Rāghava (Rāma)
• Khara
• Battle (samara)

FAQs

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

The verse spotlights the violation of satya: Rāvaṇa attempts to break Sītā through falsehood and fear, showing how adharma often weaponizes untruth.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa tries to demoralize Sītā by claiming that Rāma has been killed in war.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s implied steadfast faith; Rāvaṇa’s opposite trait—manipulation through deceit.