Sita keeps a blade of grass in front and addresses Ravana (5.21.3-25)
(Trnamantaratah krtva –(sloka 3) Since talking directly to a stranger is forbidden, Sita kept a blade of grass in between her and Ravana. Why was she smiling? ‘This Ravana who is overcome by tamas and rajas qualities has an evil desire to get me,’ thought Sita. So she smiled and replied fearlessly considering her life equal to the piece of grass (symbolizing that she cared for her life the least).
‘atmanam upamam krtva’-(sloka 7), means, ‘ Just as you wish your wives to be chaste treat others’ wives also like that. Realize your folly otherwise both of you and your wife will fall from dharma’. ‘It is well known that because of the blunder of the king the entire people will perish!’
‘Viprasya viditatmanah’ (sloka 17), ‘(I am like) the spiritual knowledge which is acquired exclusively by a Brahmana as He alone is entitled for it’ meaning Rama alone is my husband. Others interpret as that the word Vipra refers to the three classes of the society and that only these three classes are entitled to Brahmavidya. Hence ‘dhirasya’ is another reading for ‘snatasya vidyeva’.
‘This is the time for making friendship with him’ tells Sita to Ravana so that he may not kill you. You will hear the twang of the bow of Rama if you do not return me (to Rama)’.
Sita keeps a blade of grass in front and addresses Ravana (5.21.3-25)
(Trnamantaratah krtva –(sloka 3) Since talking directly to a stranger is forbidden, Sita kept a blade of grass in between her and Ravana. Why was she smiling? ‘This Ravana who is overcome by tamas and rajas qualities has an evil desire to get me,’ thought Sita. So she smiled and replied fearlessly considering her life equal to the piece of grass (symbolizing that she cared for her life the least).
‘atmanam upamam krtva’-(sloka 7), means, ‘ Just as you wish your wives to be chaste treat others’ wives also like that. Realize your folly otherwise both of you and your wife will fall from dharma’. ‘It is well known that because of the blunder of the king the entire people will perish!’
‘Viprasya viditatmanah’ (sloka 17), ‘(I am like) the spiritual knowledge which is acquired exclusively by a Brahmana as He alone is entitled for it’ meaning Rama alone is my husband. Others interpret as that the word Vipra refers to the three classes of the society and that only these three classes are entitled to Brahmavidya. Hence ‘dhirasya’ is another reading for ‘snatasya vidyeva’.
‘This is the time for making friendship with him’ tells Sita to Ravana so that he may not kill you. You will hear the twang of the bow of Rama if you do not return me (to Rama)’.