Shloka 8
रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः
Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply
द्वौ मासौ रक्षितव्यौ मे योऽवधिस्ते मया कृतः।ततः शयनमारोह मम त्वं वरवर्णिनि।।।।
dvau māsau rakṣitavyau me yo 'vadhis te mayā kṛtaḥ | tataḥ śayanam āroha mama tvaṃ varavarṇini ||
میں نے تمہارے لیے دو ماہ کی مہلت مقرر کی ہے؛ اے حسین رنگت والی، اس کے بعد تمہیں میرے بستر پر آنا ہوگا۔
"I shall wait for two months, the deadline fixed. O lady of beautiful hue! thereafter you have to share my bed.
FAQs
Dharma rejects coercion and exploitation: Rāvaṇa’s ‘deadline’ and demand violate marital ethics, consent, and protection owed to a captive—showing adharma as domination rather than righteous rule.
Rāvaṇa sets a time limit for Sītā to submit to him and issues an explicit sexual threat.
Sītā’s steadfast chastity and loyalty (pativratā-dharma) are emphasized by the pressure placed upon her to abandon them.