Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 1
रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्
Ravana’s Persuasion and Coercive Courtship of Sita
स तां परिवृतां दीनां निरानन्दां तपस्विनीम्।साकारैर्मधुरैर्वाक्यैर्न्यदर्शयत रावणः।।5.20.1।।
sa tāṃ parivṛtāṃ dīnāṃ nirānandāṃ tapasvinīm | sākārair madhurair vākyair nyadarśayata rāvaṇaḥ ||
रावण ने उस तपस्विनी सीता को देखा—रक्षकों से घिरी, दीन और आनन्दहीन। तब वह अपने अभिप्राय को जताने के लिए मधुर किन्तु छलपूर्ण वचनों से उसे समझाने लगा।
Ravana expressed his intention in sweet words to the depressed and grief-stricken ascetic Sita surrounded by demon guards:
FAQs
The verse warns that unrighteous intent may wear the mask of sweetness: adharma often approaches through persuasive speech. Dharma requires discernment—judging by truth and conduct, not flattering words.
In captivity, Sita sits grief-stricken among guards; Ravana comes and begins speaking to her with calculated sweetness.
Sita’s steadfastness is set up by contrast: though distressed and isolated, she remains a tapasvinī—self-disciplined and anchored in satya—against Ravana’s manipulative speech.