Ravana, visiting the captive Sita, lays before her grand offers in the hope that She will be tempted to become his wife. He says that he has defeated both celestials and demons. He offers priceless gems to Sita. He offers to take care of Janaka’s needs. He says Rama is in no way equal to him. He, Ravana, rules Lanka, but Rama is an exile. Ravana lives in an opulent palace, in his capital city, but Rama roams the forests. He says he is not one to suppress his desires, for he is a demon. It is the practice of demons to capture women they desire.
Sita points out to him that demons may not follow the same principles as others, yet to desire another man’s wife cannot be justified. There are some values that are universal and no one can claim that they are exceptions to these principles and values, said Valayapet Ramachariar in a discourse. For example, we are urged to be honest, to do acts of charity, to treat elders with respect etc.
But sometimes there are exceptions to these rules. For example, it is not fair to ask a hunter or a fisherman to keep away from taking the life of an animal or fish, because his livelihood will then be lost. But there are some values which are applicable to all, not just to some.
These are not a matter of choice. It is not as if someone can say that he alone is exempt from these rules under some special provision. So even demons must adhere to certain basic principles, and even they cannot lay claim to another man’s wife. And that is what Sita points out to Ravana. Nothing can be used as an excuse for his abduction of Sita.
