Shloka 2
सीतारावणसंवादः
Ravana Reveals Himself; Sita Affirms Rama’s Dharma
ब्राह्मणश्चातिथिश्चायमनुक्तो हि शपेत माम्।इति ध्यात्वा मुहूर्तं तु सीता वचनमब्रवीत्।।3.47.2।।
brāhmaṇaś cātithiś cāyam anukto hi śapeta mām | iti dhyātvā muhūrtaṃ tu sītā vacanam abravīt ||3.47.2||
“ഇവൻ ബ്രാഹ്മണനും അതിഥിയുമാണ്; ഞാൻ മറുപടി പറയാതെ ഇരുന്നാൽ അവൻ എന്നെ ശപിക്കുമോ.” ഇങ്ങനെ ക്ഷണനേരം ചിന്തിച്ച് സീത വചനം പറഞ്ഞു.
My husband known in the world as Rama is large-eyed, long-armed, virtuous, truthful, pure and is always engaged in the welfare of all beings.
FAQs
Atithi-dharma: a guest—especially one perceived as a brahmin—should not be ignored; failing to respond is seen as adharmic and potentially invites a curse.
In the forest setting, Sītā sees an apparent brahmin-guest (Rāvaṇa in disguise) and, after a brief reflection, decides she must respond according to dharma.
Sītā’s conscientious adherence to dharma (social-religious duty toward guests), even under uncertainty.