Shloka 6.31.9

मायाशिरोप्रदर्शनम् (The Display of the Illusory Head of Rāma)

Devanagari script

एवमुक्तस्तथेत्याहविद्युज्जिह्वोनिशाचरः ।दर्शयामासतांमायांसुप्रयुक्तांसरावणे ।।।।तस्यतुष्टोऽभवद्राजाप्रददौचविभूषणम् ।

Transliteration

sa vidyujjihvena sahaiva tacchiro dhanuś ca bhūmau vinikīrya rāvaṇaḥ |

videharājasya sutāṃ yaśasvinīṃ tato 'bravīt tāṃ bhava meva vaśānugā ||

Translation

Then Rāvaṇa, together with Vidyujjihva, cast that head and the bow upon the ground; and he said to the illustrious daughter of the king of Videha: “Now be obedient to my will.”

Context

When the Rakshasa king had spoken that way to Vidyujihvam, he said, "Be it so." Pleased with the dexterous production of Vidyujihvam, Ravana presented to him a beautiful ornament.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Vidyujjihva
• Sītā
• king of Videha (Janaka implied)
• head (illusory, of Rāma implied)
• bow

FAQs

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

It condemns coercion and exploitation: demanding submission through fear and false proof violates dharma and satya. The Ramayana repeatedly frames forced consent as adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

After staging the illusion with the head and bow, Rāvaṇa directly pressures Sītā to accept him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s steadfastness (pativratā-dharma) is tested; her moral autonomy stands against coercive power.