Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 24, Shloka 42
सीताभर्त्सना
The Ogresses’ Threats to Sita and Her Vow of Fidelity
ततस्तु प्रघसा नाम राक्षसी वाक्यमब्रवीत्।कण्ठमस्या नृशंसायाः पीडयाम किमास्यते।।5.24.42।।
tatastu praghasā nāma rākṣasī vākyam abravīt | kaṇṭham asyā nṛśaṃsāyāḥ pīḍayāma kim āsyate ||5.24.42||
तब प्रघसा नाम की राक्षसी बोली— “हम यूँ ही क्यों बैठे हैं? इस नृशंस स्त्री का कंठ दबा दें; क्या इसी की प्रतीक्षा है?”
'Thereafter we will announce that such a human being is dead. Then Ravana will simply say 'eat her up'. There is no doubt .'
FAQs
Dharma is shown by contrast: threatening a helpless captive is adharma and misuse of strength; righteousness demands restraint and protection of the vulnerable.
Praghasā urges immediate physical violence against Sītā as the group’s intimidation intensifies.
The verse foregrounds the rākṣasīs’ cruelty; by narrative contrast it later magnifies Sītā’s moral courage and purity.