Shloka 35

रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः

Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply

Devanagari script

एकाक्षीमेककर्णां च कर्णप्रावरणां तथा।गोकर्णीं हस्तिकर्णीं च लम्बकर्णीमकर्णिकाम्।।5.22.33।।हस्तिपाद्यश्वपाद्यौ च गोपादीं पादचूलिकाम्।एकाक्षीमेकपादीं च पृथुपादीमपादिकाम्।।5.22.34।।अतिमात्रशिरोग्रीवामतिमात्रकुचोदरीम्।अतिमात्रास्यनेत्रां च दीर्घजिह्वामजिह्विकाम्।।5.22.35।।अनासिकां सिंहमुखीं गोमुखीं सूकरीमुखीम्।

Transliteration

ekākṣīm eka-karṇāṃ ca karṇa-prāvaraṇāṃ tathā |

go-karṇīṃ hasti-karṇīṃ ca lamba-karṇīm akarṇikām ||

hasti-pādyaśva-pādyau ca go-pādīṃ pāda-cūlikām |

ekākṣīm eka-pādīṃ ca pṛthu-pādīm apādikām ||

ati-mātra-śiro-grīvām ati-mātra-kuca-odarīm |

ati-mātrāsya-netrāṃ ca dīrgha-jihvām ajihvikām ||

anāsikāṃ siṃha-mukhīṃ go-mukhīṃ sūkarī-mukhīm ||

Translation

Da waren Rākṣasīs von grotesker Gestalt: einäugige, einohrige und solche mit bedeckten Ohren; manche mit Kuhohren, manche mit Elefantenohren, manche mit langen herabhängenden Ohren und manche ohne Ohren; manche mit Elefantenfüßen, mit Pferde- oder Kuhhufen, und manche mit Haaren an den Füßen; manche einbeinig, manche breitfüßig und sogar fußlos; manche mit übergroßem Kopf und Hals, mit gewaltigen Brüsten und Bauch, mit übermäßig großem Gesicht und Augen; manche mit sehr langer Zunge und manche ohne Zunge; manche ohne Nase — mit Löwengesicht, Kuhgesicht oder Ebergesicht.

Word by Word

ati-mātra-śiro-grīvāmwith an excessively huge head and neck

ati-mātra-kuca-udarīmwith huge breasts and belly

ati-mātra-āsya-netrāmwith huge face and eyes

caand

dīrgha-jihvāmlong-tongued

a-jihvikāmtongueless

a-nāsikāmnoseless

siṃha-mukhīmlion-faced

go-mukhīmcow-faced

sūkarī-mukhīmboar-faced

Context

Of them one had one eye, the other one ear, another with ears covered, one had the ear of a cow, another had ears of an elephant and yet another, long, hanging ears. One had the feet of an elephant, another, hoofs of a horse and still another of a cow. While one had a single foot, another had broad feet and yet another no feet at all. One had a long neck and a large head. One had large breasts and belly. One had a big face and eyes, another had a long tongue and yet another no tongue at all. One had no nose and still another had a lion face and yet another the face of a cow.

Characters & Entities

Rākṣasīs (demonesses)

FAQs

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

The verse supports a dharmic contrast: adharma often surrounds itself with terror and intimidation. Dharma stands firm even when confronted by fear-inducing forces.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration describes the dreadful-looking rākṣasīs stationed around Sītā in Aśoka-vana, reinforcing the atmosphere of threat and confinement.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage and steadfastness (dhairya) are implied in Sītā’s endurance amid frightening guardians.