Shloka 12

राक्षसी-भर्त्सना

The Demonesses’ Coercive Counsel to Sītā

Devanagari script

वीर्योत्सिक्तस्य शूरस्य सङ्ग्रामेषु निवर्तिनः।।।।बलिनो वीर्ययुक्तस्य भार्यात्वं किं न लप्स्यसे।

Transliteration

vīryotsiktasya śūrasya saṅgrāmeṣu nivartinaḥ | balino vīryayuktasya bhāryātvaṃ kiṃ na lapsyase ||

Translation

Warum solltest du nicht die Würde einer Gattin erlangen bei einem mächtigen Helden, vom Mut erhoben, der in Schlachten nicht zurückweicht und mit Kraft und Tapferkeit begabt ist?

Word by Word

• vīryotsiktasya: of (one) elated by valor
• vīryotsiktasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vīrya + utsikta (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; vīryeṇa utsiktaḥ (puffed up with valor)

• śūrasya: of the hero
• śūrasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śūra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• saṅgrāmeṣu: in battles
• saṅgrāmeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṅgrāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural

• nivartinaḥ: of the one who turns back/retreats (context: who does not retreat)
• nivartinaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ni + vṛt (धातु) + in (प्रातिपदिक-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; agent-noun/possessive adjective: 'one who turns back/retreats' (here intended as 'not retreating' by context though a- is absent in text)

• balinaḥ: of the powerful one
• balinaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: balin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• vīryayuktasya: of the valor-endowed
• vīryayuktasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vīrya + yukta (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; vīryeṇa yuktaḥ (endowed with valor)

• bhāryātvam: wifehood
• bhāryātvam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāryā + tva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• kim: why/what
• kim: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Interrogative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Interrogative particle used adverbially/प्रश्नार्थक-अव्यय

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation/निषेध-अव्यय

• lapsyase: will you obtain
• lapsyase: Kriyā (क्रिया/Finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: labh (धातु)
• Form: Future (लृट्), Ātmanepada, 2nd person, Singular

Context

'Why don't you wish to be the wife of such a mighty and powerful king, a valiant hero who has never beaten a retreat in war?

Characters & Entities

• Praghasā
• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa (implied as the praised hero)

FAQs

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

The verse illustrates a dharmic critique of confusing martial prowess with moral right. In the Ramayana, dharma is grounded in rightful relationships and truth, not in intimidation or battlefield reputation.

What is the narrative situation?

Praghasā pressures Sītā to yield by praising Rāvaṇa’s strength and fearlessness in war.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s integrity—refusing to redefine dharma based on power—remains central, even when faced with persuasive threats.