Shloka 23
सीताव्यथा
वर्णनम् / Sītā’s Distress and Rāvaṇa’s Attempt at Coercive Allurement
समीक्षमाणां रुदतीमनिन्दितां सुपक्ष्मताम्रायतशुक्ललोचनाम्।अनुव्रतां राममतीव मैथिलीं प्रलोभयामास वधाय रावणः।।।।
samīkṣamāṇāṃ rudatīm aninditāṃ supakṣmatāmrāyataśuklalocanām |
anuvratāṃ rāmam atīva maithilīṃ pralobhayāmāsa vadhāya rāvaṇaḥ ||
निर्दोष मैथिली इधर-उधर देखती हुई रो रही थी; उसकी उजली, विस्तृत आँखें सुन्दर पलकों से घिरी थीं और कोनों पर हल्की लाली थी। वह श्रीराम के प्रति अत्यन्त पतिव्रता रही, तो रावण ने पहले उसे लुभाया और फिर वध की धमकी देने लगा।
She was emaciated, absorbed in thought of Rama alone and crying and unable to find the end to her grief.
FAQs
Dharma resists coercion and temptation: Sītā’s satya (truthfulness to her marriage and values) does not yield, even under threat of death.
Rāvaṇa attempts persuasion and seduction; failing that, he turns to intimidation and threats against Sītā’s life.
Ananyatā and satya-niṣṭhā—exclusive devotion and truth-based steadfastness in the face of fear.