Shloka 39
अशोकवनिकायां सीतादर्शनम्
Sita Seen in the Ashoka Grove
दुःखेन बुबुधे सीतां हनुमाननलङ्कृताम्।संस्कारेण यथा हीनां वाचमर्थान्तरं गताम्।।।।
duḥkhena bubudhe sītāṃ hanumān analaṅkṛtām | saṃskāreṇa yathā hīnāṃ vācam arthāntaraṃ gatām ||
Nur mühsam erkannte Hanumān Sītā, nun ohne Schmuck—wie Worte, die man dank früherer Schulung noch erfasst, obwohl ihr Sinn sich verschoben und ohne Verfeinerung verdunkelt hat.
Just as an unclear expression which has undergone certain changes in meaning due to lack of usage over a long period is understood by virtue of previous practice so also Hanuman had difficulty in recognising Sita who was devoid of any decoration.
FAQs
Dharma requires steadiness of mind and truthful recognition: even when appearances change, one must seek the underlying reality and act accordingly.
Hanumān finally identifies Sītā despite her altered, ornamentless condition caused by prolonged suffering.
Hanumān’s discernment and perseverance—he persists until he reaches truthful certainty.