Shloka 2
रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः
Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply
यथा यथा सान्त्वयिता वश्यः स्त्रीणां तथा तथा।यथा यथा प्रियं वक्ता परिभूतस्तथा तथा।।।।
yathā yathā sāntvayitā vaśyaḥ strīṇāṁ tathā tathā | yathā yathā priyaṁ vaktā paribhūtas tathā tathā ||
Quanto mais um homem se faz lisonjeiro e maleável diante das mulheres—falando docemente e buscando agradar—tanto mais é por elas desprezado.
"The more the lover is courteous and loving and pleasing to women the more he is humiliated by them.
FAQs
It warns against abandoning self-respect and moral steadiness for mere appeasement; dharma in speech and conduct requires dignity, not manipulative flattery.
In Laṅkā, Sītā responds sharply to Rāvaṇa’s approaches, rejecting coercion and exposing the social contempt that follows servile, pleasure-seeking behavior.
Sītā’s fearlessness and moral clarity—she speaks truthfully and refuses to be swayed by intimidation or persuasion.