Shloka 15
रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्
Ravana’s Attempt to Allure Sita
सहस्रमेकमेकस्य मम कार्यपुरस्सरम्।।3.55.15।।यदिदं राजतन्त्रं मे त्वयि सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्।जीवितं च विशालाक्षि त्वं मे प्राणैर्गरीयसी।।3.55.16।।
sahasram ekam ekasya mama kāryapurassaram ||3.55.15||
yad idaṃ rājatantraṃ me tvayi sarvaṃ pratiṣṭhitam |
jīvitaṃ ca viśālākṣi tvaṃ me prāṇair garīyasī ||3.55.16||
“Chỉ riêng cho ta, có một ngàn kẻ hầu cận đứng sẵn để thi hành mệnh lệnh. Và toàn bộ vương quyền của ta đều nương tựa nơi nàng; hỡi người mắt rộng, nàng quý với ta hơn cả hơi thở mạng sống.”
For me alone there are a thousand attendants.The administration of the kingdom and all my subjects will be under your control. O large-eyed Sita! you are dearer to me than my life.
FAQs
Dharma distinguishes genuine devotion from possessive desire: flattering claims of ‘you are my life’ become unethical when used to legitimize abduction and force.
Rāvaṇa shifts from boasting power to offering status, service, and centrality in governance—attempting to make acceptance seem advantageous.
Sītā’s discernment is implied: she recognizes that adharma cannot be made dharmic by gifts, rank, or praise.