Shloka 31
रावणस्य सीताप्रलोभनम्
Ravana’s Attempt to Allure Sita
वदनं पद्मसङ्काशममलं चारुदर्शनम्।शोकार्तंतु वरारोहे न भ्राजति वरानने।।3.55.31।।
vadanaṃ padma-saṅkāśam amalaṃ cāru-darśanam | śokārtaṃ tu varārohe na bhrājati varānane || 3.55.31 ||
Ôi bậc giai nhân dáng ngọc—khuôn mặt nàng tựa hoa sen, thanh khiết và khả ái, nay vì sầu khổ mà không còn rạng ngời, hỡi người đẹp tuyệt trần.
O heavy-hipped lady! your face which is a clean lotus pleasing to the eye has lost its shine, stricken with grief.
FAQs
The verse shows how flattering speech can mask wrongdoing; dharma evaluates intent and action, not merely sweet words—praise cannot cleanse coercion.
Rāvaṇa comments on Sītā’s sorrowful appearance, using admiration as a rhetorical strategy to soften her resistance.
Sītā’s integrity is highlighted indirectly: her grief arises from loyalty to Rāma and rejection of adharma, even under pressure.