Shloka 31

रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्

Ravana’s Attempt to Allure Sita

Devanagari script

वदनं पद्मसङ्काशममलं चारुदर्शनम्।शोकार्तंतु वरारोहे न भ्राजति वरानने।।3.55.31।।

Transliteration

vadanaṃ padma-saṅkāśam amalaṃ cāru-darśanam | śokārtaṃ tu varārohe na bhrājati varānane || 3.55.31 ||

Translation

ഹേ വരാരോഹേ, സുന്ദരിമേ! നിന്റെ പദ്മസദൃശമായ നിർമലവും മനോഹരവും ആയ മുഖം ദുഃഖത്തിൽ പീഡിതമായി ഇപ്പോൾ പ്രകാശിക്കുന്നില്ല.

Word by Word

• वदनम्: face
• वदनम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• पद्मसङ्काशम्: lotus-like
• पद्मसङ्काशम्: कर्ता (Karta; qualifier of vadanaṃ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्मसङ्काश (प्रातिपदिक: पद्म + सङ्काश)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुष (पद्मस्य सङ्काशः = like a lotus)

• अमलम्: spotless, pure
• अमलम्: कर्ता (Karta; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक-निपात

• चारुदर्शनम्: pleasing to behold
• चारुदर्शनम्: कर्ता (Karta; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चारुदर्शन (प्रातिपदिक: चारु + दर्शन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; कर्मधारय (pleasing + appearance)

• शोकार्तम्: afflicted with grief
• शोकार्तम्: कर्ता (Karta; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शोकार्त (प्रातिपदिक: शोक + आर्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुष (शोकेन आर्तम् = afflicted by grief)

• तु: but
• तु: सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विभेदबोधक-निपात (adversative particle)

• वरारोहे: O lovely lady
• वरारोहे: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वरारोहा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (one who has excellent ascent/figure)

• न: not
• न: निषेध (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध-निपात (negation)

• भ्राजति: shines
• भ्राजति: क्रिया (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भ्राज् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• वरानने: O fair-faced one
• वरानने: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वरानना (प्रातिपदिक: वर + आनन)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (one with a beautiful face)

Context

O heavy-hipped lady! your face which is a clean lotus pleasing to the eye has lost its shine, stricken with grief.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā

FAQs

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

The verse shows how flattering speech can mask wrongdoing; dharma evaluates intent and action, not merely sweet words—praise cannot cleanse coercion.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa comments on Sītā’s sorrowful appearance, using admiration as a rhetorical strategy to soften her resistance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s integrity is highlighted indirectly: her grief arises from loyalty to Rāma and rejection of adharma, even under pressure.