Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 8
रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्
Ravana’s Persuasion and Coercive Courtship of Sita
एकवेणी धराशय्या ध्यानं मलिनमम्बरम्।अस्थानेऽप्युपवासश्च नैतान्यौपयिकानि ते।।5.20.8।।
ekaveṇī dharāśayyā dhyānaṃ malinam ambaram |
asthāne 'py upavāsaś ca naitāny aupayikāni te ||5.20.8||
Les cheveux en une seule tresse, couchée sur la terre nue, plongée dans la méditation sombre, vêtue d’habits souillés et jeûnant hors de propos : rien de cela ne sied à ta personne.
"O Lady, to wear a single braid, sleep on the ground, brooding, wearing soiled clothes and fasting without proper occasion does not suit you.
FAQs
The verse contrasts two value-systems: Sītā’s austerity rooted in fidelity and truth versus Rāvaṇa’s attempt to replace dharmic resolve with comfort and compliance.
Rāvaṇa criticizes Sītā’s ascetic signs of grief and loyalty, trying to make her abandon them.
Sītā’s self-restraint and unwavering commitment to Rāma are reflected in her austere conduct.