Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 3

राक्षसी-भर्त्सना

The Demonesses’ Coercive Counsel to Sītā

Devanagari script

ततः सीतामुपागम्य राक्षस्यः क्रोधमूर्छिताः।परं परुषया वाचा वैदेहीमिदमब्रुवन्।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ sītām upāgamya rākṣasyaḥ krodhamūrchitāḥ | paraṃ paruṣayā vācā vaidehīm idam abruvan ||

Translation

Then the demonesses, their senses overwhelmed by anger, went up to Sītā and addressed Vaidehī with extremely harsh words.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रम-वाचक (then)

• sītām: Sita
• sītām: Karma (कर्म) of upāgamya
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• upāgamya: having approached
• upāgamya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa√gam (धातु) + lyap (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), अर्थ: having approached

• rākṣasyaḥ: demonesses
• rākṣasyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• krodha-mūrchitāḥ: overcome with anger
• krodha-mūrchitāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of rākṣasyaḥ
• Type: Adjective
• Root: krodha (प्रातिपदिक) + mūrchita (√murch + kta)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास: क्रोधेन मूर्छिताः = fainted/overcome with anger

• param: very
• param: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाववत् क्रियाविशेषण-प्रयोग (adverbial use), अर्थ: अत्यन्तम् (very)

• paruṣayā: harsh
• paruṣayā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of vācā
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• vācā: with words/voice
• vācā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāc (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• vaidehīm: Vaidehi (Sita)
• vaidehīm: Karma (कर्म) of abruvan
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaidehī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• idam: this
• idam: Karma (कर्म) (object of speaking)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम; वाक्य-विशेष्य (this [speech])

• abruvan: they said
• abruvan: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √brū (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद; अर्थ: spoke/said

Context

Another ogress called Vikata said, ' Know that he who has often defeated gods in war and has vanquished nagas, gandharvas and demons has come to you (seeking your favour)'.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā (Vaidehī)
• rākṣasī (demonesses)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Anger that overwhelms discernment leads to cruel speech—an ethical warning against krodha (wrath) and verbal violence, both opposed to dharma and satya.

What is the narrative situation?

The demonesses approach Sītā and begin a sequence of threats and persuasion to make her accept Rāvaṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s forbearance (kṣamā) is tested against hostile speech; her commitment to truth and fidelity remains the implied virtue.