Shloka 18
सरमायाḥ सीतासान्त्वनम् तथा रावणनिश्चयश्रवणम्
Saarana Consoles Sita and Reports Ravana’s Resolve
इहासीनासुखंसर्वमाख्याहिममतत्त्वतः ।क्रूरस्यनिश्चयंतस्यरावणस्यदुरात्मनः ।।।।
iha āsīnā sukhaṃ sarvam ākhyāhi mama tattvataḥ | krūrasya niścayaṃ tasya rāvaṇasya durātmanaḥ ||
Duduklah di sini dengan tenteram, lalu ceritakan kepadaku semuanya dengan sebenar-benarnya: keputusan apakah yang telah diambil oleh Rāvaṇa yang kejam dan berhati jahat itu?
"Seated here happily reveals to me truly that cruel and evil minded Ravana's intention."
FAQs
The verse foregrounds satya (truth): Sītā asks for an accurate account, showing that right action depends upon clear, truthful knowledge.
Sītā, anxious about what Rāvaṇa intends, requests Saramā to report the facts of his decision.
Sītā’s discernment and commitment to truth—she seeks ‘tattvataḥ’ (as it really is), not rumor or exaggeration.