Shloka 4
रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्
Ravana’s Persuasion and Coercive Courtship of Sita
नेह केचिन्मनुष्या वा राक्षसाः कामरूपिणः।व्यपसर्पतु ते सीते भयं मत्तः समुत्थितम्।।5.20.4।।
neha kecin manuṣyā vā rākṣasāḥ kāmarūpiṇaḥ | vyapasarpatu te sīte bhayaṃ mattaḥ samutthitam || 5.20.4 ||
इह न केचिन्मनुष्याः, न च कामरूपिणो राक्षसाः; हे सीते, मत्तः समुत्थितं तव भयं व्यपसर्पयितुं कश्चन नास्ति।
"O large-eyed one ! you are endowed with beauty in all limbs. You are the delight of allworlds. I desire you, dear ! Oblige me.
FAQs
Dharma rejects coercion and terror as means of persuasion; Rāvaṇa’s claim asserts dominance through fear, illustrating adharma and the abuse of power.
After proposing, Rāvaṇa escalates to intimidation, asserting that no one in Laṅkā can protect Sītā from him.
Sītā’s moral courage is foregrounded by the threat: despite isolation and fear tactics, she remains committed to truth and righteousness.