Shloka 33
रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्
Ravana’s Persuasion and Coercive Courtship of Sita
यानि वैश्रवणे सुभ्रु रत्नानि च धनानि च।।5.20.33।।तानि लोकांश्च सुश्रोणि मां च भुङ्क्ष्व यथासुखम्।
yāni vaiśravaṇe subhru ratnāni ca dhanāni ca || 5.20.33 || tāni lokāṃś ca suśroṇi māṃ ca bhuṅkṣva yathāsukham |
O may magandang kilay at marikit na balakang, tamasahin mo ayon sa iyong nais ang mga hiyas at kayamanang mula kay Vaiśravaṇa; tamasahin mo rin ang mga daigdig na ito, at ako, nang buong ginhawa.
"O queen! Rama is not equal to me either in penance or prowess or valour or wealth or brilliance or even in fame.
FAQs
Dharma teaches that artha (wealth) is subordinate to righteousness; material abundance cannot compensate for a relationship founded on coercion and falsehood.
Rāvaṇa offers Sītā immense wealth and dominion, attempting to purchase consent and devotion.
Sītā’s non-attachment to ill-gotten prosperity and her fidelity to Rāma despite hardship.