Shloka 24
रावणस्य परिव्राजकवेषेण सीतासमीपगमनम्
Ravana Approaches Sita Disguised as a Mendicant
सा प्रतिक्राम भद्रं ते नैवं वस्तुमिहार्हसि।राक्षसानामयं वासो घोराणां कामरूपिणाम्।।।।
sā pratikrāma bhadraṃ te naivaṃ vastum ihārhasi | rākṣasānām ayaṃ vāso ghorāṇāṃ kāmarūpiṇām ||
โอ้สตรีผู้เป็นมงคล ขอความสวัสดีจงมีแก่เจ้า—จงหันกลับไปเถิด; เจ้าไม่ควรพำนักอยู่ ณ ที่นี้. ที่นี่เป็นถิ่นอาศัยของเหล่ารากษสอันน่าสะพรึง ผู้แปลงกายได้ตามปรารถนา.
It is not safe for a lady like you to reside here. Move out at once. This is only fit for the dwelling of horrible demons who can change their form at will.
FAQs
The verse shows manipulative counsel: warning about danger while concealing that the speaker himself is that danger—an inversion of satya and protective duty.
Rāvaṇa urges Sītā to leave the forest, setting up his attempt to separate her from protection and make her vulnerable.
Truthfulness and non-harm (ahiṃsā) are emphasized negatively—Rāvaṇa’s speech mimics concern while serving harm.