Shloka 21
द्विचत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 42): Omens in Laṅkā, Report to Rāvaṇa, and the Kinkara Assault
मनः परिगृहीतां तां तव रक्षोगणेश्वर।कस्सीतामभिभाषेत यो न स्यात्त्यक्तजीवितः।।5.42.21।।
manaḥ parigṛhītāṃ tāṃ tava rakṣogaṇeśvara | kaḥ sītām abhibhāṣeta yo na syāt tyaktajīvitaḥ || 5.42.21 ||
ഹേ രക്ഷോഗണേശ്വരാ! സീതാദേവി നിന്റെ മനസ്സിൽ ആഗ്രഹിക്കപ്പെട്ടവളാണ്; അതിനാൽ ജീവൻ ഉപേക്ഷിക്കുവാൻ തയ്യാറാകാത്തവൻ ആരാണ് അവളോട് സംസാരിക്കാൻ ധൈര്യപ്പെടുക?
On listening to the report of the ogresses, Ravana, the lord of demons flared up like blazing flame of a sacrificial fire, his eyeballs rolling in rage.
FAQs
The verse reveals adharma as coercive possession: power is used to silence speech and deny another’s autonomy. In the Ramayana’s dharmic frame, desire does not become entitlement; intimidation is ethically condemned even if socially enforced in Laṅkā.
The rākṣasī guards explain to Rāvaṇa that no one would dare speak to Sītā because she is treated as ‘claimed’ by him—implying lethal consequences for any approach.
By contrast (implicitly), Hanumān’s courage is highlighted—he speaks and acts despite the threat of death.