Shloka 35
रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्
Ravana’s Attempt to Allure Sita
एतौ पादौ मया स्निग्धौ शिरोभिः परिपीडितौ।।3.55.35।।प्रसादं कुरु मे क्षिप्रं वश्यो दासोऽहमस्मिते।
etau pādau mayā snigdhau śirobhiḥ paripīḍitau | prasādaṃ kuru me kṣipraṃ vaśyo dāso 'ham asmi te || 3.55.35 ||
एतौ पादौ मया स्निग्धौ शिरोभिः परिपीडितौ; प्रसादं कुरु मे क्षिप्रं, वश्यो दासोऽहमस्मिते।
I am bowing down, pressing my heads at your shining feet. I am at your mercy. Grant me your favourI will remain your slave and remain ever under your control.
FAQs
It warns that gestures of humility can be performative; dharma is measured by right action, not theatrical submission—especially when paired with continued coercion.
Rāvaṇa intensifies persuasion by adopting a posture of supplication, claiming he will be Sītā’s obedient servant.
Sītā’s discernment is foregrounded implicitly: she is not to be deceived by outward reverence when the underlying intent remains unrighteous.