Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 2

राक्षसी-भर्त्सना

The Demonesses’ Coercive Counsel to Sītā

Devanagari script

निष्क्रान्ते राक्षसेन्द्रे तु पुनरन्तःपुरं गते।राक्षस्यो भीमरूपास्ताः सीतां समभिदुद्रुवुः।।।।

Transliteration

niṣkrānte rākṣasendre tu punar antaḥpuraṃ gate | rākṣasyo bhīmarūpās tāḥ sītāṃ samabhidudruvuḥ ||

Translation

فلما انصرفَ سيّدُ الرّاكشاسا ثم عادَ إلى داخلِ الحريمِ الملكي، اندفعتْ تلكَ الرّاكشاسياتُ ذواتُ الهيئةِ المروِّعة نحوَ سيتا واحتشدنَ حولَها.

Word by Word

• niṣkrānte: when (he) had gone out
• niṣkrānte: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण) (सति-सप्तमी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nis√kram (धातु) + kta (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (PPP) सति-सप्तमी (locative absolute), पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अर्थ: 'निष्क्रान्ते' = when (he) had gone out

• rākṣasa-indre: the lord of demons
• rākṣasa-indre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण) (सति-सप्तमी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक) + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास: राक्षसानाम् इन्द्रः = lord of demons; सति-सप्तमी-प्रयोग

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, विरोध/अनुक्रम-निपात (particle: but/indeed)

• punaḥ: again
• punaḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, पुनरावृत्ति-वाचक (again)

• antaḥpuram: inner chambers
• antaḥpuram: Karma (कर्म) (implied with gate)
• Type: Noun
• Root: antaḥpura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• gate: when (he) had gone
• gate: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण) (सति-सप्तमी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √gam (धातु) + kta (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (PPP) सति-सप्तमी, पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; (rākṣasendre ... gate) = when he had gone

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

• bhīma-rūpāḥ: of terrible appearance
• bhīma-rūpāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of rākṣasyaḥ
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhīma (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समास: भीमं रूपं यस्याः = of terrible form

• tāḥ: those (women)
• tāḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (appositive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

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

• samabhidudruvuḥ: ran towards (her)
• samabhidudruvuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-abhi√dru (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद; अर्थ: ran up to/charged towards

Context

'Ravana is prepared to abandon a thousand wives in his prosperous harem decorated with all kinds of gems in order to accept you.'

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā
• rākṣasī (demonesses)
• antaḥpura (inner palace)

FAQs

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

The verse frames adharma through intimidation: when power withdraws (Rāvaṇa leaving), coercive agents (demonesses) immediately press the vulnerable. It highlights how unrighteous rule relies on fear rather than consent or justice.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rāvaṇa departs for the inner palace, the demonesses surround Sītā, preparing to threaten and pressure her.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s steadfastness is implicitly foregrounded: despite being surrounded, she remains the moral center whose fidelity and truth are tested.