Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 22, Shloka 16
रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः
Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply
यथा दृप्तश्च मातङ्गः शशश्च सद्दृशो युधि।तथा मातङ्गवद्रामस्त्वं नीच: शशवत् स्मृतः।।।।
yathā dṛptaś ca mātaṅgaḥ śaśaś ca saddṛśo yudhi |tathā mātaṅgavad rāmas tvaṃ nīcaḥ śaśavat smṛtaḥ ||
जैसे युद्ध में गर्वित हाथी और तुच्छ खरगोश का मेल नहीं होता, वैसे ही राम हाथी के समान हैं और तू नीच खरगोश के समान स्मरण किया जाता है।
"It is like a proud elephant fighting in war with a rabbit. Rama is like an elephant and you are like an ordinary rabbit people speak of.
FAQs
Dharma condemns arrogance rooted in wrongdoing; Sītā states a truth meant to puncture Rāvaṇa’s pride and reveal the imbalance between dharmic power and adharmic posturing.
Sītā continues her rebuke, asserting that Rāvaṇa is no match for Rāma, using a battle-simile (elephant vs. hare).
Moral confidence: Sītā’s certainty in Rāma’s dharmic strength and her refusal to be psychologically dominated.