Shloka 14

राक्षसी-भर्त्सना

The Demonesses’ Coercive Counsel to Sītā

Devanagari script

समृद्धं स्त्रीसहस्रेण नानारत्नोपशोभितम्।।।।अन्तःपुरं समुत्सृज्य त्वामुपैष्यति रावणः।

Transliteration

samṛddhaṃ strīsahasreṇa nānāratnopaśobhitam | antaḥpuraṃ samutsṛjya tvām upaiṣyati rāvaṇaḥ ||

Translation

സ്ത്രീസഹസ്രങ്ങളാൽ സമൃദ്ധവും നാനാവിധ രത്നങ്ങളാൽ അലങ്കൃതവുമായ ആ ഭംഗിയാർന്ന അന്തഃപുരം ഉപേക്ഷിച്ച്, രാവണൻ നിന്നിലേക്കു വരാൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• samṛddham: prosperous/rich
• samṛddham: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samṛddha (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifies antaḥpuram

• strīsahasreṇa: with a thousand women
• strīsahasreṇa: Sahakārī (सहकारी/Accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: strī + sahasra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa: 'a thousand women'; instrumental of accompaniment/means

• nānāratnopaśobhitam: adorned with many jewels
• nānāratnopaśobhitam: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nānā + ratna + upaśobhita (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; compound expressing 'adorned with various jewels' (ratnaiḥ upaśobhitam)

• antaḥpuram: inner palace/apartments
• antaḥpuram: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: antaḥpura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa: 'inner apartments'

• samutsṛjya: having abandoned
• samutsṛjya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam + ut + sṛj (धातु) + ya (ल्यप्)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्); prior action

• tvām: you
• tvām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• upaiṣyati: will approach/seek
• upaiṣyati: Kriyā (क्रिया/Finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa + i (धातु)
• Form: Future (लृट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• rāvaṇaḥ: Rāvaṇa
• rāvaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Context

Another ogress called Vikata said, ' Know that he who has often defeated gods in war and has vanquished nagas, gandharvas and demons has come to you (seeking your favour)'.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā
• antaḥpura (harem/inner palace)

FAQs

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

The verse illustrates adharma as possessive desire: Sītā is treated as an object of acquisition despite her rightful marriage. Dharma upholds consent, fidelity, and respect for another’s marriage; coercive pursuit violates satya and righteousness.

What is the narrative situation?

A demoness attempts to persuade Sītā by praising Rāvaṇa’s wealth and claiming he would forsake his harem for her.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s chastity and loyalty (pativratā-dharma) are the virtues under pressure, contrasted with Rāvaṇa’s uncontrolled desire.