Shloka 17

सीताविलापः

Sita’s Lament and Resolve under Threat

Devanagari script

इतीव देवी बहुधा विलप्य सर्वात्मना राममनुस्मरन्ती।प्रवेपमाना परिशुष्कवक्त्रा नगोत्तमं पुष्पितमाससाद।।5.28.17।।

Transliteration

itīva devī bahudhā vilapya sarvātmanā rāmam anusmarantī |

pravepamānā pariśuṣka-vaktrā nagottamaṃ puṣpitam āsasāda ||5.28.17||

Translation

So klagte die Königin auf vielerlei Weise, und während sie mit ihrem ganzen Wesen an Rāma dachte, zitterte sie; mit bleichem und ausgetrocknetem Gesicht näherte sie sich dem schönsten der blühenden Bäume.

Word by Word

इतिthus

इवas if

देवीthe queen/lady

बहुधाin many ways, repeatedly

विलप्यhaving lamented

सर्वात्मनाwith her whole self, entirely

रामम्Rama

अनुस्मरन्तीremembering, constantly recalling

प्रवेपमानाtrembling, shivering

परिशुष्कवक्त्राwith a parched/dried face

नगोत्तमम्the best of trees/mountains (here: great tree)

पुष्पितम्in bloom, flowered

आससादapproached, reached

Context

Queen Sita was wailing in many ways, constantly remembering Rama, the soul of all. Shivering, her face pales as she approached the great Simsupa tree in bloom.

Characters & Entities

Sītā

Rāma

Siṃśupā tree

FAQs

How does this verse reflect Satya (truthfulness) in the Ramayana?

Sītā’s unwavering remembrance of Rāma amid fear and suffering shows fidelity to truth in relationship and intention—she does not allow circumstance to alter her inner commitment.

What dharmic ideal is highlighted by Sītā approaching the blossoming tree while lamenting?

The verse highlights steadfastness and purity under trial: even in captivity, Sītā endures with self-control and loyalty, embodying dharma through resilience rather than retaliation.