Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 22, Shloka 31
रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः
Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply
अनयेनाभिसम्पन्नमर्थहीनमनुव्रते।नाशयाम्यहमद्य त्वां सूर्यः सन्ध्यामिवौजसा।।।।
anayenābhisampannam arthahīnam anuvrate |
nāśayāmy aham adya tvāṃ sūryaḥ sandhyām ivaujasā ||
अनुव्रते, त्वम् अनेन व्यर्थार्थेन दुष्टसङ्कल्पसमन्वितेन पथाऽभिसम्पन्ना। अद्याहं त्वां नाशयामि—सूर्यः स्वौजसा सन्ध्यामिव।
"O Sita! you are following a vow of chastity and treading a meaningless, wrong path. I will destroy you as the Sun dispels the morning twilight with his lustre".
FAQs
Dharma rejects coercion and threats, especially against the vulnerable. The verse shows adharma: power used to intimidate truth and fidelity.
Rāvaṇa, angered by Sītā’s refusal, escalates to explicit threats of harm, attempting to break her resolve.
Sītā’s fidelity (pativratā-dharma) is acknowledged even by her oppressor; her unwavering commitment to Rāma stands as the implied virtue.