Shloka 29
रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्
Ravana’s Persuasion and Coercive Courtship of Sita
चारुस्मिते चारुदति चारुनेत्रे विलासिनि।।5.20.29।।मनो हरसि मे भीरु सुपर्णः पन्नगं यथा।
cārusmite cārudati cārunetre vilāsini || 5.20.29 || mano harasi me bhīru suparṇaḥ pannagaṃ yathā |
O may kaakit-akit na ngiti, magagandang ngipin at maririkit na mata—O marikit na kumikilos! Bagaman mahiyain ka, ninanakaw mo ang aking isip, gaya ni Suparṇa (Garuḍa) na dumadagit ng ahas.
"Even when you are attired in soiled silk and are bereft of ornaments, I find no interest in my own wives.
FAQs
The verse warns (by negative example) against desire that ignores dharma: flattery and sensual fixation cannot justify violating another’s dignity and marital fidelity.
Rāvaṇa continues his attempt to win Sītā through praise and poetic comparison, trying to soften resistance after intimidation.
Sītā’s self-possession and chastity are emphasized implicitly: despite seductive rhetoric, she does not deviate from truth and righteousness.