Shloka 22
रावणस्य परिव्राजकवेषेण सीतासमीपगमनम्
Ravana Approaches Sita Disguised as a Mendicant
नैव देवी न गन्धर्वी न यक्षी न च किन्नरी।नैवंरूपा मया नारी दृष्टपूर्वा महीतले।।।।
naiva devī na gandharvī na yakṣī na ca kinnarī | naivaṃrūpā mayā nārī dṛṣṭapūrvā mahītale ||
เจ้าไม่ใช่เทวี ไม่ใช่นางคันธรรพ์ ไม่ใช่ยักษิณี และไม่ใช่กินนรี; บนพื้นพิภพนี้ ข้าไม่เคยเห็นสตรีผู้มีรูปโฉมเช่นนี้มาก่อนเลย.
O beautiful lady! I have not seen such a beauty earlier either among goddesses or among gandharavis, or yakshis or even among kinneris.
FAQs
The verse showcases flattery as a persuasive tactic; dharma cautions against speech that distorts truth to exploit another’s emotions.
Rāvaṇa elevates Sītā’s beauty above celestial beings to entice her and unsettle her judgment.
Discernment (viveka) is highlighted—Sītā must see through exaggerated praise and remain anchored in truth and duty.