Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 2
रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्
Ravana’s Persuasion and Coercive Courtship of Sita
मां दृष्ट्वा नागनासोरु गूहमाना स्तनोदरम्।अदर्शनमिवात्मानं भयान्नेतुं त्वमिच्छसि।।5.20.2।।
māṃ dṛṣṭvā nāganāsoru gūhamānā stanodaram | adarśanam ivātmānaṃ bhayān netuṃ tvam icchasi || 5.20.2 ||
اے ہاتھی کے سونڈ جیسے رانوں والی! مجھے دیکھ کر تو اپنے پستان اور پیٹ کو چھپاتی ہے، گویا خوف کے مارے اپنے آپ کو میری نگاہ سے اوجھل کرنا چاہتی ہے۔
"On seeing me, Sita, you want to conceal your thighs, belly and breasts through fear of me. I think you do not want me to see you.
FAQs
The verse highlights a breach of dharma: fear and coercion replace consent and respect. In the Ramayana’s ethical frame, forcing attention upon a vulnerable person is adharma.
In Laṅkā’s Aśoka-vana, Rāvaṇa approaches the captive Sītā and speaks to her in an attempt to dominate and persuade her.
Sītā’s modesty and self-protective restraint are implied; her fear-driven withdrawal underscores her steadfast refusal to accept wrongdoing.