Shloka 4
राक्षसी-भर्त्सना
The Demonesses’ Coercive Counsel to Sītā
पौलस्त्यस्य वरिष्ठस्य रावणस्य महात्मनः।दशग्रीवस्य भार्या त्वं सीते न बहुमन्यसे।।।।
paulastyasya variṣṭhasya rāvaṇasya mahātmanaḥ |
daśagrīvasya bhāryā tvaṃ sīte na bahumanyase ||
ഹേ സീതേ! പുലസ്ത്യവംശത്തിലെ ശ്രേഷ്ഠനും മഹാത്മാവുമായ ദശഗ്രീവൻ രാവണന്റെ ഭാര്യയാകുന്നതിനെ നീ ബഹുമാനമായി കരുതുന്നില്ലയോ?
'O Sita! don't you think it is a privilege to be the wife of the high-souled, ten-necked Ravana, who is the distinguished king of a high family of sage Paulastya?
FAQs
The verse attempts to redefine ‘honor’ as proximity to power and pedigree; the Ramayana’s dharmic counterpoint (embodied by Sītā in the scene) is that true honor is fidelity to rightful marriage and moral truth, not coerced status.
In Laṅkā, the ogresses press Sītā to accept Rāvaṇa, praising his lineage and greatness to break her resolve.
Sītā’s steadfastness (pativratā-niṣṭhā) is implicitly highlighted by the very need of the rākṣasīs to argue and intimidate rather than receive willing consent.