Shloka 17
मायाशिरोप्रदर्शनम्
The Display of the Illusory Head of Rāma
अल्पपुण्ये: निवृत्तार्थे: मूढे: पण्डितमानिनि: ।शृणुभर्तृवधंसीते: घोरंवृत्रवधंयथा ।।।।
alpa-puṇye nivṛttārthe mūḍhe paṇḍita-mānini | śṛṇu bhartṛ-vadhaṃ sīte ghoraṃ vṛtra-vadhaṃ yathā ||
Ó mulher de pouco mérito, afastada dos fins da vida—insensata que se julga sábia—ó Sītā, ouve a terrível morte de teu esposo, como o abate de Vṛtra.
"O woman of less merit! You are one who has given up all worldly actions. Stupid one! You pretend as if you know everything. O Sita! Hear about your husband 's death like that of Vrthasura."
FAQs
The verse demonstrates the unethical use of speech: insult and false intimidation as tools of coercion. Dharma upholds satya (truth) and ahiṃsā in speech; Rāvaṇa violates both by weaponizing words.
Rāvaṇa escalates his attempt to break Sītā’s resolve by claiming he will describe Rāma’s death, comparing it to a famed mythic slaughter (Vṛtra).
Sītā’s inner strength is again implied—endurance and discernment in the face of verbal aggression and intimidation.