Shloka 35
Sāvitrī–Satyavān Vivāha: Kanyāpradāna and Āśrama-Śīla (सावित्री-सत्यवान्विवाहः)
सीते राक्षसराजो<हं रावणो नाम विश्रुतः । मम लड्कापुरी नाम्ना रम्या पारे महोदथे:,'सीते! मैं राक्षसोंका राजा हूँ। मेरा 'रावण” नाम सर्वत्र विख्यात है। समुद्रके पार बसी हुई रमणीय लंकापुरी मेरी राजधानी है
sīte rākṣasarājo 'haṃ rāvaṇo nāma viśrutaḥ | mama laṅkāpurī nāmnā ramyā pāre mahodadheḥ ||
രാവണൻ പറഞ്ഞു—“സീതേ! ഞാൻ രാക്ഷസരാജാവാണ്; ‘രാവണൻ’ എന്ന നാമത്തിൽ സർവ്വത്ര പ്രസിദ്ധൻ. മഹാസമുദ്രത്തിനപ്പുറം ‘ലങ്കാപുരി’ എന്ന മനോഹര നഗരമാണ് എന്റെ രാജധാനി.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how adharma often announces itself through pride and coercive self-glorification. Rāvaṇa’s boast contrasts with the dharmic ideal of restraint and respect for others’ autonomy, preparing the moral frame in which Sītā’s unwavering righteousness stands out.
In Mārkaṇḍeya’s retelling of the Rāmāyaṇa episode within the Mahābhārata, Rāvaṇa addresses Sītā after taking her, declaring his identity as the famed king of the Rākṣasas and describing Laṅkā, his capital beyond the ocean, as part of his attempt to overawe and persuade her.