As the mighty Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, pressed his suit upon Sītā, a wise demoness reminded him that even the foremost immortals do not grant joy to a woman won by force. She declared that for one who desires an unwilling woman, the body is tormented, but for one who seeks a willing woman, true joy is found. Hearing these words, Rāvaṇa, powerful as a thundercloud, laughed and withdrew from Sītā. As he departed, the earth seemed to tremble beneath his steps, and he shone with the brilliance of the blazing sun as he entered his splendid palace. Divine maidens, Gandharva women, and Nāga maidens surrounded the ten-necked king and followed him into his magnificent mansion. Yet, after rebuking Sītā—the virtuous daughter of Mithilā, trembling before him—Rāvaṇa, blinded by desire, left her and retired to his own chambers. Listen now to the next chapter. Having spoken to Maithilī, Rāvaṇa, the terror of his foes, instructed the rākṣasī women to watch over Sītā and departed. Once the king had returned to his inner chambers, the fearsome rākṣasīs, maddened by anger, rushed toward Sītā. Approaching her, they addressed Vaidehī with harsh words, saying, “O Sītā, you do not value being the wife of the foremost of the Paulastyas, the great-souled Rāvaṇa, the ten-necked one.” A demoness named Ekajaṭā, her eyes red with rage, spoke as Sītā sat with her belly resting on her palm. She proclaimed, “Of the six progenitors, this is the fourth Prajāpati, Pulastya, mind-born son of Brahmā. Pulastya’s radiant son is Viśravā, a sage equal in brilliance to the progenitors. His son is Rāvaṇa, enemy of enemies; you ought to become the wife of this lord of demons.” Another demoness, Harijaṭā, opened her eyes in anger, their shape like those of a cat, and declared, “He who conquered the thirty-three gods and their king is mighty and heroic, never retreating in battle, endowed with strength and valor. Why do you not desire to be his wife?” They pressed further, “The mighty king will abandon his beloved and esteemed wife for you, O most fortunate one. Leaving behind his splendid chambers adorned with a thousand women and jewels, Rāvaṇa will come to you.” Vikaṭā, another demoness, spoke: “By whose terrible prowess elephants, gandharvas, and demons have been defeated time and again, he has come to your side. Why, O lowest one, do you not wish to be the wife of Rāvaṇa, lord of demons, who possesses all prosperity and greatness?” Durmukhī, yet another, added, “For whom the sun does not shine, and the wind, frightened, does not blow—why do you not stand with him, O gentle-eyed one? The trees shower flowers out of fear for him; mountains release water, and clouds grant his every desire. For that king of kings, why do you not resolve to be Rāvaṇa’s wife?” They urged Sītā, “O goddess, O beautiful one, what we say is good and true; accept these words, O smiling one, otherwise you will not survive.” Listen now to the next chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Sundara Kāṇḍa. All the demonesses with distorted faces spoke harsh and unworthy words to Sītā, words unpleasant to hear. They questioned her, “Why, O Sītā, do you not consent to stay in the inner chambers, delightful to all beings, furnished with luxurious beds? You overvalue the marriage of a human woman to a human man; withdraw your mind from Rāma—such a thing will never happen. Approach Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, enjoyer of the wealth of the three worlds, and live with him as you please. O beautiful one, you desire that human Rāma, who is deprived of his kingdom, unsuccessful in his aims, and dispirited, O blameless lady.” Hearing these words, Sītā, whose eyes were like lotus petals and now filled with tears, replied, “Whatever hateful words you all speak together, such sinful speech does not remain in my mind. A human woman should not become the wife of a rākṣasa; you may all eat me if you wish, but I will not do your bidding. Whether he is destitute or deprived of his kingdom, my husband is my lord; I am always devoted to him, as Suvarcalā is to the sun. As the greatly fortunate Śacī serves Indra, Arundhatī serves Vasiṣṭha, Rohiṇī serves the moon, Lopāmudrā serves Agastya, Sukanyā serves Cyavana, Sāvitrī serves Satyavat, Śrīmatī serves Kapila, Madayantī serves Saudāsa, Keśinī serves Sagara, Damayantī serves Nala, and Bhīmi serves her husband with fidelity—so too am I devoted to my husband Rāma, the best of the Ikṣvākus.” Hearing Sītā’s steadfast words, the rākṣasīs, enraged at Rāvaṇa’s urging, began to threaten her with harsh words. All the while, Hanumān, concealed and silent in the śiṃśapā tree, listened as the rākṣasīs tormented Sītā.