Shloka 27
सप्तदशः सर्गः
Hanuman Beholds Sita in the Ashoka Grove
मलिनेन तु वस्त्रेण परिक्लिष्टेन भामिनीम्।।5.17.26।।संवृतां मृगशाबाक्षीं ददर्श हनुमान् कपिः।तां देवीं दीनवदनामदीनां भर्तृतेजसा।।5.17.27।।रक्षितां स्वेन शीलेन सीतामसितलोचनाम्।
tāṃ devīṃ dīnavadanām adīnāṃ bhartṛtejasā | rakṣitāṃ svena śīlena sītām asitalocanām || 5.17.27 ||
Jene edle Sītā—das Antlitz von Kummer gesenkt, doch innerlich nicht gebrochen durch die Herrlichkeit ihres Gemahls—war durch ihr eigenes sittliches Wesen behütet; die dunkeläugige Dame blieb durch ihre Tugend geschützt.
Seeing the fawn-eyed Sita, a frightened female deer looking all around (as if for some help) sighing hot breath, was as though burning the trees having tender leaves with her hot sighs. She looked like a collective mass of all sorrows, a high tide of suffering.
FAQs
Dharma is portrayed as inner protection: even when external safety is absent, steadfast conduct (śīla) and truthfulness (satya) function as a moral shield.
Hanumān observes Sītā closely and understands that her sorrow is visible, but her spirit and fidelity remain unshaken.
Sītā’s chastity and integrity (śīla), and her resilience sustained by faith in Rāma.