Shloka 42

रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः

Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply

Devanagari script

अकामां कामयानस्य शरीरमुपतप्यते।।5.22.42।।इच्छन्तीं कामयानस्य प्रीतिर्भवति शोभना।

Transliteration

akāmāṃ kāmayānasya śarīram upatapyate |

icchantīṃ kāmayānasya prītir bhavati śobhanā ||

Translation

欲する男が欲なき女を追えば、その身はただ苦しむのみ。だが、望む女を追うなら、生じる歓びはまことにふさわしく麗しい。

Word by Word

• akāmām: a woman without desire
• akāmām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-kāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd), Ekavacana; ‘undesiring’ (negated)

• kāmayānasya: of a lustful man
• kāmayānasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāmayāna (प्रातिपदिक) < √kam (धातु)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th), Ekavacana; genitive ‘of the desiring man’

• śarīram: the body
• śarīram: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śarīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsakaliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana

• upatapyate: is tormented
• upatapyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-√tap (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; ātmanepada (passive-like sense)

• icchantīm: a woman who desires
• icchantīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √iṣ (धातु) → icchantī (कृदन्त)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd), Ekavacana; present active participle (शतृ) used adjectivally

• kāmayānasya: of a lustful man
• kāmayānasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāmayāna (प्रातिपदिक) < √kam (धातु)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th), Ekavacana

• prītiḥ: pleasure / affection
• prītiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prīti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana

• bhavati: becomes
• bhavati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• śobhanā: pleasant / delightful
• śobhanā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śobhanā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; predicate adjective agreeing with prītiḥ

Characters & Entities

• Dhānyamālinī
• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā (implied as akāmā)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

It states a dharmic norm for desire: coercion against the unwilling yields only suffering and is unfitting; mutual willingness is the proper basis for pleasure.

What is the narrative situation?

Dhānyamālinī argues against Rāvaṇa’s forced pursuit of Sītā by contrasting unwillingness with willing consent.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Restraint and discernment in kāma—recognizing that ethical conduct requires respecting another’s will.