Shloka 2
रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्
Ravana’s Persuasion and Coercive Courtship of Sita
मां दृष्ट्वा नागनासोरु गूहमाना स्तनोदरम्।अदर्शनमिवात्मानं भयान्नेतुं त्वमिच्छसि।।5.20.2।।
māṃ dṛṣṭvā nāganāsoru gūhamānā stanodaram | adarśanam ivātmānaṃ bhayān netuṃ tvam icchasi || 5.20.2 ||
हे नागशुंडेसारख्या ऊरू असणाऱ्या! मला पाहून तू भयाने आपले स्तन व उदर लपवितेस, जणू स्वतःला माझ्या दृष्टीस अदृश्य करावयास इच्छितेस।
"On seeing me, Sita, you want to conceal your thighs, belly and breasts through fear of me. I think you do not want me to see you.
FAQs
The verse highlights a breach of dharma: fear and coercion replace consent and respect. In the Ramayana’s ethical frame, forcing attention upon a vulnerable person is adharma.
In Laṅkā’s Aśoka-vana, Rāvaṇa approaches the captive Sītā and speaks to her in an attempt to dominate and persuade her.
Sītā’s modesty and self-protective restraint are implied; her fear-driven withdrawal underscores her steadfast refusal to accept wrongdoing.