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Then Ravana disclosed his desire in sweet words to the poor and wretched Sita who was bereft of all joy and is surrounded by the Rakshasi's.

Sundarakanda

Chapter20

Then Ravana disclosed his desire in sweet words to the poor and wretched Sita who was bereft of all joy and is surrounded by the Rakshasis.

He said,” O Lady concealing your breasts and the belly with thighs you want to keep yourself out of sight as it were through fear. O Large Eyed lady I long for you . O Beloved one , endowed with all excellences and ravishing the mind of all people , please hold me in high esteem. Oh Sita ! There are no men or Rakshasas capable of changing form at will here. Let your fear born of me vanish for good. O Timid one ! it has been the conduct prescribed for Rakshasas to approach others wives or to carry them away by force. There is no doubt about that . Notwithstanding this O Princess of Mithila I will not touch you so long as you do not love me . I would not let my passion get hold of me".

“ No fear shall be entertained on this O beloved lady , make love to me in reality . Do not get swayed by grief. Wearing a single plait , lying on the ground and remain brooding while wearing a soiled clothes is not proper for you.

O Princess of Mithila ! Having secured me as your lover , enjoy garlands of diverse kinds , sandal pastes as also robes of various kinds , celestial ornaments , and instrumental music as well as dancing .

O Lady endowed with lovely form, you are a jewel among women. You should no longer be in this condition. This charming youth of yours is passing away. And what passes away never returns any more than a current of stream.

O Lady having created you , Brahma has retired from making anymore beautiful forms for indeed there is no other woman who can be compared to you . O Princess of Videha , Having come across you adorned with comeliness and youth who would not lose his balance of mind even if he is the Brahma himself !!.

Oh Princess of Mithila become my consort. Become the foremost queen among my wives. I offer you all the well known jewels which have been brought by me as booty from the various worlds as well as my kingdom. O Maithili having subjugated the entire universe with its chain of cities I will offer it to Janaka for your sake.

I do not find anyone who is equal to me in might. Be favorably disposed off towards me. Let me behold your excellent form profusely fitted with decorations Enjoy luxuries according to your pleasure. Full of confidence in me seek pleasures, and boldly give orders to me. Look at my affluence and prosperity. What will you do with Rama who is only clad in tatters. Rama has given up hope of victory. He has lost his fortune and dwells in forest and is observing sacred vows. Rama will not be able to get you back from me any more than the demon Hiranyakshya was able to recover lost glory from Indra. Seeing you clad in worn silk garments I find no delight in my own consort. My celebrated consorts will wait on you as celestial nymphs wait on Lakshmi . O Lady enjoy the three worlds under my command . Rama is not equal to me neither in ascetism , nor in might , nor in prowess nor in wealth nor in glory".

"Oh Sita Adorned with bright jewelry roam in my company among the groves, along the seashore covered with clusters of trees in full blossom crowded with bees !”

Thus ends chapter 20 of Sundarakanda

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" Adorned with bright jewelry roam in my company among the groves, along the seashore covered with clusters of trees in full blossom crowded with bees !”