Shloka 35

सीताभर्त्सना

The Ogresses’ Threats to Sita and Her Vow of Fidelity

Devanagari script

जानासि हि यथा भीरु स्त्रीणां यौवनमध्रुवम्।यावन्न ते व्यतिक्रामेत्तावत्सुखमवाप्नुहि।।5.24.35।।

Transliteration

jānāsi hi yathā bhīru strīṇāṃ yauvanam adhruvam |

yāvan na te vyatikrāmet tāvat sukham avāpnuhi ||5.24.35||

Translation

O Schüchterne, du weißt, wie unbeständig und flüchtig die Jugend einer Frau ist; bevor sie an dir vorüberzieht, genieße das Vergnügen, solange es währt.

Word by Word

• udyānāni: gardens
• udyānāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: udyāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; samuccaya

• ramyāṇi: delightful
• ramyāṇi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ramya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana; viśeṣaṇa of "udyānāni" and "parvatopavanāni"

• parvata-upavanāni: groves by the mountains
• parvata-upavanāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parvata (प्रातिपदिक) + upavana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-tatpuruṣa: parvatasya upavanāni), Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; samuccaya

• saha: with
• saha: Sahakāraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; sahārtha (with)

• rākṣasa-rājena: with the demon-king
• rākṣasa-rājena: Sahakāraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक) + rāja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (rākṣasānāṃ rājā), Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana

• cara: roam
• cara: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √car (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ (Imperative), Madhyama-puruṣa, Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Prathamā, Ekavacana

• madirekṣaṇe: O one with intoxicating eyes
• madirekṣaṇe: Sambodhyā (सम्बोध्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madira (प्रातिपदिक) + īkṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi (बहुव्रीहि: madirāṇi īkṣaṇāni yasyāḥ sā), Strīliṅga, Sambodhana, Ekavacana

Context

'O timid Sita! know that youth of women is fleeting and transient. Before it is over, enjoy all kinds of pleasures.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā

FAQs

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

Impermanence is manipulated to justify wrongdoing. Dharma in the Ramayana teaches that fleeting youth or opportunity cannot legitimize betrayal of truth, consent, or marital righteousness.

What is the narrative situation?

The captors attempt a pragmatic argument: since youth is short, Sītā should submit and seek pleasure rather than remain resolute.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s commitment to satya (truth) over expediency—she does not trade principles for temporary comfort.