Shloka 16
अभिज्ञानप्रदानम्
The Token of Recognition (Chūḍāmaṇi) and the Crow Episode Recalled
दारयन्स च मां काकस्तत्त्रैव परिलीयते।न चाप्युपारमन्मांसाद्भक्षार्थि बलिभोजनः।।5.38.16।।
dārayañś ca māṃ kākas tatraiva parilīyate |
na cāpy upāraman māṃsād bhakṣārthī balibhojanaḥ || 5.38.16 ||
Jene Krähe riss weiter an mir und blieb genau dort; hungrig nach Nahrung, eine Fresserin von Opfergaben, ließ sie nicht ab, nach Fleisch zu verlangen.
'Then you made fun of me, and I became angry. I was abashed. Torn by the voracious bird I sought your shelter.
FAQs
When harm persists despite mild deterrence, dharma recognizes the need for stronger rightful intervention—protection of the innocent is obligatory.
Sītā explains that the crow’s aggression continued; the threat was not momentary but sustained.
Sītā’s endurance under provocation, highlighting her non-violent disposition even when wronged.