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 ||
উপবাস, শোক, ধ্যান ও ভয়ে তিনি অত্যন্ত ক্ষয়প্রাপ্ত, কৃশ ও দীন হয়েছিলেন; অল্পাহারিণী হয়েও তপোধনে সমৃদ্ধ ছিলেন।
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.