Shloka 11
रावणस्य परिव्राजकवेषेण सीतासमीपगमनम्
Ravana Approaches Sita Disguised as a Mendicant
शुभां रुचिरदन्तोष्ठीं पूर्णचन्द्रनिभाननाम्।।।।आसीनां पर्णशालायां बाष्पशोकाभिपीडिताम्।स तां पद्मपलाशाक्षीं पीतकौशेयवासिनीम्।।।।अभ्यगच्छत वैदेहीं दुष्टचेता निशाचरः।
śubhāṃ ruciradantoṣṭhīṃ pūrṇacandranibhānanām | āsīnāṃ parṇaśālāyāṃ bāṣpaśokābhipīḍitām || sa tāṃ padmapalāśākṣīṃ pītakauśeyavāsinīm | abhyagacchata vaidehīṃ duṣṭacetā niśācaraḥ || 3.46.11 ||
Le rôdeur nocturne au cœur mauvais s’approcha de Vaidehī, assise dans la hutte de feuillage, accablée de larmes et de chagrin : femme de bon augure, aux lèvres et aux dents charmantes, au visage pareil à la pleine lune, aux yeux comme des pétales de lotus, vêtue de soie jaune.
The wicked demon came close to that auspicious princess from Videha sitting in the cottage Her face was like the full moon. Her teeth and lips were lovely. She was clad in yellow silk. Her eyes were like lotus petals tormented by tears of grief.
FAQs
The verse highlights the vulnerability of the righteous in moments of isolation and grief, and the adharma of exploiting another’s suffering; Dharma calls for protection of the distressed, not predation.
With Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa away, Rāvaṇa closes in on Sītā seated in the hut, still grieving and fearful.
Sītā’s dignity and auspiciousness are foregrounded; her inner nobility stands in contrast to the demon’s wicked intent.