Shloka 8
रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः
Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply
द्वौ मासौ रक्षितव्यौ मे योऽवधिस्ते मया कृतः।ततः शयनमारोह मम त्वं वरवर्णिनि।।।।
dvau māsau rakṣitavyau me yo 'vadhis te mayā kṛtaḥ | tataḥ śayanam āroha mama tvaṃ varavarṇini ||
நான் உனக்காக இரண்டு மாத எல்லையை நிர்ணயித்தேன்; அந்த அளவுக்காலம் வரை உன்னைப் பாதுகாப்பேன். அதன் பின், அழகிய நிறமுடையவளே, நீ என் படுக்கைக்கு வரவேண்டும்॥
"I shall wait for two months, the deadline fixed. O lady of beautiful hue! thereafter you have to share my bed.
FAQs
Dharma rejects coercion and exploitation: Rāvaṇa’s ‘deadline’ and demand violate marital ethics, consent, and protection owed to a captive—showing adharma as domination rather than righteous rule.
Rāvaṇa sets a time limit for Sītā to submit to him and issues an explicit sexual threat.
Sītā’s steadfast chastity and loyalty (pativratā-dharma) are emphasized by the pressure placed upon her to abandon them.