Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 30, Shloka 18
हनुमता सीतासंवादोपायचिन्ता
Hanuman’s Deliberation on How to Address Sita
यदि वाचं प्रदास्यामि द्विजातिरिव संस्कृताम्।रावणं मन्यमाना मां सीता भीता भविष्यति।।।।वानरस्य विशेषेण कथं स्यादभिभाषणम्।
yadi vācaṃ pradāsyāmi dvijātir iva saṃskṛtām | rāvaṇaṃ manyamānā māṃ sītā bhītā bhaviṣyati || vānarasya viśeṣeṇa kathaṃ syād abhibhāṣaṇam |
If I speak refined Sanskrit like a Brahmin, Sītā may become afraid, suspecting me to be Rāvaṇa—for how, especially, could a Vānara speak in such a manner?
"I will certainly speak to her meaningfully in the language of the people. Otherwise it isnot possible to pacify the sinless Sita.
FAQs
Dharma includes protecting another’s mind from fear: even truthful speech can be harmful if it triggers suspicion; therefore one must speak truth in a manner that is safe and believable.
Hanumān evaluates that speaking highly polished Sanskrit may alarm Sītā, who is surrounded by deception and might suspect a disguised Rāvaṇa.
Empathy and discernment—Hanumān anticipates Sītā’s psychological state and adjusts his approach accordingly.