Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 15
रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्
Ravana’s Persuasion and Coercive Courtship of Sita
यद्यत्पश्यामि ते गात्रं शीतांशुसदृशानने।तस्मिंस्तस्मिन् पृथुश्रोणि चक्षुर्मम निबध्यते।।5.20.15।।
yad yat paśyāmi te gātraṃ śītāṃśu-sadṛśānane |
tasmiṃs tasmin pṛthuśroṇi cakṣur mama nibadhyate || 5.20.15 ||
Ô femme au visage pareil à la lune, ô toi aux larges hanches : quel que soit le membre de ton corps que je regarde, c’est sur lui que mes yeux se fixent.
"O one with a face like the cool full-moon, with heavy hips. I am unable to extricate my eyes from any limb (of your body) I see.
FAQs
The verse exemplifies uncontrolled desire and objectifying gaze, both opposed to dharma’s demand for restraint and reverence toward another’s personhood and marital sanctity.
Rāvaṇa expresses intense attraction to Sītā, describing his eyes as unable to turn away from her.
The contrast emphasizes Sītā’s modesty and firmness; she does not reciprocate or yield despite such pressure.