Shloka 11
सीताव्यथा
वर्णनम् / Sītā’s Distress and Rāvaṇa’s Attempt at Coercive Allurement
अभूतेनापवादेन कीर्तिं निपतितामिव।आम्नायानामयोगेन विद्यां प्रशिथिलामिव।।।।
abhūtenāpavādena kīrtiṃ nipatitām iva |
āmnāyānām ayogena vidyāṃ praśithilām iva ||
Sie glich einem Ruf, der durch falsche Verleumdung zu Fall gebracht wird; glich heiliger Erkenntnis, die sich lockert und schwächt, wenn die vedischen Zuchtübungen nicht recht geübt werden.
She was like great fame grown dim, faith slighted, worship meddled and hope frustrated.(Note: Sita's condition is being compared with abstract concepts such as fame, faith, reverence and hope which are hit by reverses in fate. She was the personification of all such suffering.)
FAQs
Satya and restraint in speech are central: false accusation (abhūta-apavāda) destroys honor. Dharma requires truthful speech and protection of another’s good name.
Sītā’s diminished condition in captivity is described through similes, emphasizing how external harm can make even the most honored appear ‘fallen’—though her virtue remains intact.
Sītā’s unimpaired integrity: the comparisons show the tragedy of her situation, not any moral failing—her satya remains, even if her outward state is made pitiable.