Shloka 2

सीताभर्त्सना

The Ogresses’ Threats to Sita and Her Vow of Fidelity

Devanagari script

किं त्वमन्तःपुरे सीते सर्वभूतमनोहरे।महार्हशयनोपेते न वासमनुमन्यसे।।5.24.2।।

Transliteration

kiṃ tvam antaḥpure sīte sarvabhūta-manohare |

mahārha-śayanopete na vāsam anumanyase ॥5.24.2॥

Translation

„Sītā, warum willst du nicht im inneren Palast wohnen, der alle Wesen bezaubert und mit kostbaren Lagern ausgestattet ist?“

Word by Word

• kim: why?
• kim: Prashna (प्रश्न)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक-अव्यय (why?)

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• antaḥpure: in the inner apartments
• antaḥpure: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: antaḥpura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• sīte: O Sītā
• sīte: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, संबोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)

• sarvabhūtamanohare: O delighting all beings
• sarvabhūtamanohare: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva-bhūta-mano-hara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, संबोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: सर्वेषां भूतानां मनः हरति इति (one who captivates the minds of all beings)

• mahārhaśayanopete: O furnished with costly beds
• mahārhaśayanopete: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā-arha-śayana-upeta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, संबोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: महार्हैः शयनैः उपेता (endowed with costly beds)

• na: not
• na: Nishedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation)

• vāsam: dwelling; residence
• vāsam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• anumanyase: you consent to; approve
• anumanyase: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu-√man (मन् धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन (Singular), आत्मनेपद

Context

'O Sita! why don't you agree to dwell in Ravana's inner apartment furnished with fine bedsteads, and which is delightful?

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• antaḥpura (inner palace)

FAQs

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

It frames the ethical test: comfort offered through unrighteous circumstances is not a dharmic choice; truth and fidelity outweigh luxury.

What is the narrative situation?

The rākṣasīs attempt persuasion—offering palace comfort—to induce Sītā to accept life under Rāvaṇa’s control.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s incorruptibility—refusing to trade dharma for pleasure or safety.