Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 19, Shloka 21
सीताव्यथा
वर्णनम् / Sītā’s Distress and Rāvaṇa’s Attempt at Coercive Allurement
उपवासेन शोकेन ध्यानेन च भयेन च।परिक्षीणां कृशां दीनामल्पाहारां तपोधनाम्।।।।
upavāsena śokena dhyānena ca bhayena ca |
parikṣīṇāṃ kṛśāṃ dīnām alpāhārāṃ tapodhanām ||
أوهنها الصومُ والحزنُ، والتفكّرُ والخوفُ؛ فغدت منهكةً نحيلةً كئيبة—قليلةَ الطعام، لكنها غنيةٌ بكنزِ التَّقشّف (التَّبَس).
Her body looked colourful with dust. Although she deserved adornment, she had none. She was like a lotus stem in mud looking bright yet dull (with mud).
FAQs
Dharma can be guarded through tapas—self-restraint and refusal to be morally broken by fear; suffering is not allowed to become untruth.
Sītā’s physical decline is described as the result of captivity, threats, and constant sorrow.
Tapas and self-control—strength expressed as disciplined endurance rather than outward power.