Shloka 31
रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः
Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply
अनयेनाभिसम्पन्नमर्थहीनमनुव्रते।नाशयाम्यहमद्य त्वां सूर्यः सन्ध्यामिवौजसा।।।।
anayenābhisampannam arthahīnam anuvrate |
nāśayāmy aham adya tvāṃ sūryaḥ sandhyām ivaujasā ||
اے وفادار و باوفا عورت! تو بے حاصل راہ پر اڑی ہوئی ہے، ناروا عزم سے مسلح؛ آج میں تجھے یوں کچل دوں گا جیسے سورج اپنی تابانی سے شام کی دھندلی روشنی کو مٹا دیتا ہے۔
"O Sita! you are following a vow of chastity and treading a meaningless, wrong path. I will destroy you as the Sun dispels the morning twilight with his lustre".
FAQs
Dharma rejects coercion and threats, especially against the vulnerable. The verse shows adharma: power used to intimidate truth and fidelity.
Rāvaṇa, angered by Sītā’s refusal, escalates to explicit threats of harm, attempting to break her resolve.
Sītā’s fidelity (pativratā-dharma) is acknowledged even by her oppressor; her unwavering commitment to Rāma stands as the implied virtue.