Shloka 2

सीताहरण

विलापः / The Lament at Jatāyu and the Abduction of Sītā

Devanagari script

निमित्तं लक्षणज्ञानं शकुनिस्वरदर्शनम्।अवश्यं सुखदुःखेषु नराणां प्रतिदृश्यते।।।।

Transliteration

nimittaṃ lakṣaṇajñānaṃ śakunisvaradarśanam |

avaśyaṃ sukhaduḥkheṣu narāṇāṃ pratidṛśyate ||

Translation

إن الناس، في أوقات الفرح والحزن، لا بدّ أن يدركوا علاماتٍ: معرفةَ الفألِ والطيَرة، وسماعَ أو رؤيةَ طيورٍ تصيح بصوتٍ مُنذِر، كإشارةٍ لما سيأتي.

Word by Word

• निमित्तम्: an omen/indication
• निमित्तम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nimitta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st), Singular

• लक्षण-ज्ञानम्: knowledge of portents
• लक्षण-ज्ञानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣaṇa + jñāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘knowledge of signs’; Neuter, Nominative (1st), Singular (appositional with ‘निमित्तम्’)

• शकुनि-स्वर-दर्शनम्: hearing/seeing ominous bird-sounds
• शकुनि-स्वर-दर्शनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakuni + svara + darśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘perception of bird-cries’; Neuter, Nominative (1st), Singular (appositional)

• अवश्यम्: certainly
• अवश्यम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: avaśyam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) ‘certainly’

• सुख-दुःखेषु: in happiness and sorrow
• सुख-दुःखेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sukha + duḥkha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva (द्वन्द्व) ‘in joys and sorrows’; Neuter, Locative (7th), Plural (बहुवचन)

• नराणाम्: of people
• नराणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• प्रतिदृश्यते: is perceived
• प्रतिदृश्यते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati-√dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person, Singular, Ātmanepada; Passive-like sense ‘is perceived/seen’

Context

People, for sure, foresee weal and woe in life from auspicious symptoms and ominous sounds.

FAQs

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

The verse highlights moral attentiveness: humans should remain vigilant and reflective, recognizing that life’s turning points (joy or suffering) are often preceded by perceivable indicators. Dharma here is careful awareness rather than heedlessness.

What is the narrative situation?

During Sītā’s abduction sequence, the narration notes the presence and significance of omens—especially bird-cries and other signs—foreshadowing impending sorrow.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence and discernment (viveka): the capacity to observe signs and respond thoughtfully to changing circumstances.