Risen from sleep, an ogress, Trijatā by name, speaks to her companions intimidating Sītā, of a dream she saw only a few minutes before revealing the triumph of Śrī Rāma and the discomfiture of Rāvana, and stops them from molesting Sītā. Pressed by them, she relates the dream to them and also speaks of the omens portending the triumph of Sītā.

Making up her mind not to submit to the advances of Rāvana even on pain of death, when menaced by the ogresses, and indulging in speculation as to why Śrī Rāma was not turning up to rescue her, Sītā wails in various ways.

Unable to endure the threats of the ogresses and calling aloud Śrī Rāma and others, Sītā bursts into a wail.

Citing the examples of Śacī, Arundhatī and other devoted wives, even though threatened by the ogresses, Sītā with a stout heart boldly proclaims her resolve not to submit to anyone else other than her own husband even on pain of death. Hanumān silently watches her being menaced by the ogresses by means of harsh words and show of weapons, and weeping.

Extolling Rāvana, Ekajāta and other ogresses posted in the Aśoka grove coax her to accept his proposal.

Nettled by the censure uttered by Sītā, Rāvana allows her a time-limit of two months to revise her decision and threatens her with death if she does not listen to reason. Restored to confidence by the glances of Rāvana's consorts, however, Sītā condemns him once more. Leaving instructions with ogresses of terrible and ugly aspect to bring her to reason by recourse to intimidation and persuasion, Rāvana thereupon leaves the presence of Sītā alongwith his womenfolk.

Placing a blade of grass between herself and Rāvana in order to avoid direct contact with a man of evil intentions and expostulating with him by showing him the right path, Sītā praises Śrī Rāma and, impressing on Rāvana the consequences of the latter befriending or antagonizing Śrī Rāma, advises Rāvana to make friends with Śrī Rāma through self-surrender.

Seeking to cajole Sītā by means of coaxing words, Rāvana implores her to accept him.

Finding himself unable, as it were, to depict the mental state of Sītā, who got withered up and began to shudder at the sight of Rāvana, the poet tries to portray her with the help of similes. Arrived in her presence, Rāvana tries to win her.

Perceiving Rāvana surrounded by hundreds of young women and approaching Sītā towards the close of night, swayed by passion as he was, Hanumān, who was perched on the top of the Śimśapā tree, silently comes down in order to scan the figure of Rāvana and hides himself in the boughs in order to avoid observation.