[3/46]
Did Seetaa recognize Raavan as a fake Braahman or not... is the doubt raised by this verse, because different texts use different compounds. But it is concluded that She, for sure, identified him as a fake Braahman, because She had seen many such Sanyaasee in Mithilaa, (She is called here as Maithilee because She is from Mithilaa) and her father's court was full with these Sanyaasee, Yati etc. Then it is questioned as to why she invited him, in spite of recognizing him as a fake Braahman. For this it may be said that 'By spotting the saffron robe alone, a Sanyaasee is venerable...'

Then, another doubt is raised as to how did She notice him to be a fake Sanyaasee? For this, first we should know who are fake Sanyaasee? It is said that "Walking during night, using vehicles, showing interest in episodes relating to women, and keeping relations with women, using a bed to sleep, wearing white cloths... these six characteristics show the downfall of his Sanyaasee-hood..." Since Raavan was indulged in talking about women in the whole of this chapter, "in admiring at her lips, breasts, thighs etc., and no usual Swasti Vachan (greetings), Shubh Aasheesh (blessings) etc to Seetaa" are uttered by him. Therefore Seetaa could discern him to be a fake Sanyaasee

If She knew him as a fake Sanyaasee, then why should She revere him at all, is another question. What else she could do? Because his appearance itself was doubtlessly irrefutable, hence, She tried to gain some time until Raam or Lakshman could come. Otherwise, this fake Sanyaasee might cause any kind of problem that She could not solve. [Although they couldn't come by then]

The reply of this is at the end in the last verse - "only greenery is seen by Her not Raam nor Lakshman...' And in the next verse itself she is addressing him as a "Braahman...' but not with the titles like Sanyaasee, Yateeshwar or Paramhans or Parivraajak etc. Only Braahman alone is eligible to take up Sanyaas (the Hindu-Sanyaasee-hood...' not Kshatriya or others). Hence, She concluded him to be a Braahman. So when once the Sanyaasee-hood was taken away he was no more a Braahman and his physical appearance was neutralized in the Absolute (Parameshwar), and such a Sanyaasee shall drag on his body, without comfortable physical needs, until his natural death. But Seetaa was addressing him contrary to this.

[Taken from Valmiki Ramayana 3/46]