Shloka 56
सुन्दरकाण्डे अष्टपञ्चाशः सर्गः
हनुमद्वृत्तान्तकथनम्, सीताभिज्ञान-प्रदानम्, लङ्कादाह-वर्णनम्
अदूरे शिंशुपावृक्षात्पश्यामि वरवर्णिनीम्।।5.58.55।।श्यामां कमलपत्राक्षीमुपवासकृशाननाम्।तदेकवासस्संवीतां रजोध्वस्तशिरोरुहाम्।।5.58.56।।शोकसन्तापदीनाङ्गीं सीतां भर्तृहिते स्थिताम्।राक्षसीभिर्विरूपाभिः क्रूराभिरभिसंवृताम्।।5.58.57।।मांसशोणितभक्षाभिर्व्याघ्रीभिर्हरिणीमिव।
śyāmāṃ kamalapatrākṣīm upavāsakṛśānanām |
tadekavāsassaṃvītāṃ rajodhvastśiroruhām || 5.58.56 ||
Ich sah sie: dunkel an Teint, mit Augen wie Lotusblätter; das Antlitz vom Fasten ausgemergelt; in ein einziges Gewand gehüllt, das Haar verfilzt und staubbedeckt.
"Not far from the Simsupa tree I saw beautiful Sita, of dark complexion, with eyes like lotus petals, whose face was emaciated due to fasting, wearing only a single sari (the same one since her abduction) her locks filled with dust, pathetic looking, immersed in sorrow, meditating on her husband seated like a doe encircled by tigresses, surrounded by ugly and cruel shedemons fed on flesh and blood.
FAQs
Sītā’s steadfast restraint and purity under coercion is highlighted through her fasting and austerity—an ethical ideal of inner discipline and unwavering righteousness even in adversity.
Hanumān, hidden near the śiṃśupā tree in Laṅkā’s Aśoka grove, describes how he recognized Sītā by her austere, suffering condition.
Sītā’s tapas-like endurance and fidelity—self-control, modesty, and constancy to Rāma despite fear and deprivation.