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 ||
பெண்களை நோக்கி எவ்வளவு எவ்வளவு ஒருவர் இனிமையாகப் பேசி, பணிந்து, மனம் கவர முயல்கிறாரோ, அவ்வளவு அவ்வளவாகவே அவர்களால் அவமதிக்கப்படுகிறார்.
"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.