Shloka 16

सीताया वनगमननिश्चयः

Sita’s Resolve to Accompany Rama to the Forest

Devanagari script

इच्छामि सरितश्शैलान्पल्वलानि वनानि च।द्रष्टुं सर्वत्र निर्भीता त्वया नाथेन धीमता।।।।

Transliteration

icchāmi saritaḥ śailān palvalāni vanāni ca |

draṣṭuṃ sarvatra nirbhītā tvayā nāthena dhīmatā ||

Translation

Ich wünsche, ohne Furcht überall umherzuwandern und Flüsse, Berge, Seen und Wälder zu schauen, da du, mein weiser Herr, mein Beschützer bist.

Word by Word

• इच्छामि: I wish/desire
• इच्छामि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन (singular), परस्मैपद

• सरितः: rivers
• सरितः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरित् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन

• शैलान्: mountains
• शैलान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शैल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन

• पल्वलानि: lakes/ponds
• पल्वलानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पल्वल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन

• वनानि: forests
• वनानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• द्रष्टुम्: to see
• द्रष्टुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/infinitival purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive), ‘to see’

• सर्वत्र: everywhere
• सर्वत्र: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• निर्भीता: fearless
• निर्भीता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्भीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (predicate adjective)

• त्वया: by/with you
• त्वया: Sahakāraka/Instrument (करण/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, द्वितीया? (No) तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन

• नाथेन: with (my) lord
• नाथेन: Sahakāraka/Instrument (करण/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन

• धीमता: wise/sagacious
• धीमता: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying नाथेन/त्वया)

Context

I wish to enjoy the lotus lakes in full bloom, abounding in swans and ducks in the company of a brave husband like you.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• Rivers (saritaḥ)
• Mountains (śaila)
• Forests (vana)

FAQs

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

Dharma as shared life-purpose: companionship in righteous living turns hardship into meaningful experience, grounded in trust and protection.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā reframes exile not merely as suffering but as a life to be lived together, under Rāma’s guardianship.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fearlessness rooted in trust—her courage arises from confidence in Rāma’s wisdom and care.